Vinicius Jr not interested in renewing Real Madrid contract as dispute with Xabi Alonso rumbles on -report

Vinicius Jr will enter 2026 with 18 months left on his Real Madrid contract and little appetite to renew due to the breakdown of his relationship with coach Xabi Alonso, according to a report in The Athletic.

The Brazil winger has struggled to make an impact under the former Spain midfielder, playing the full 90 minutes just five times in 17 Madrid games this season.

That has led to growing frustration for Vinicius Jr, and it spilled over during October’s El Clasico when, having been substituted, he shouted “Always me, I’m leaving the team, it’s better if I leave, I’m leaving.”

He subsequently apologised to the coaching staff, team-mates and president Florentino Perez in person but his social media release, in which he expressed his remorse, neglected to include Alonso.

In his meeting with Perez, Vinicius Jr’s future was brought up with his current deal ending in the summer of 2027. The former Flamengo winger expressed then his unwillingness to commit his future to Madrid and The Athletic report his stance has not changed.

Vinicius Jr struggling to hold down place under Alonso

Vinicius Jr has started on the bench four times this season, including last night’s 2-2 draw with Elche.

That point moved Madrid back above Barcelona at the top of La Liga but there has been growing talk of unrest in the camp with several big-name players reportedly unhappy with Alonso’s methods after he succeeded Carlo Ancelotti at the start of the summer.

Vinicius Jr’s reluctance to sign a new deal puts Madrid in an unenviable position. They can either try to change the players’ mind or sell him next summer rather than risk him walking away for nothing in 18 months’ time.

Talks over new deal stall

Preliminary talks over a new contract earlier this year stalled due to the difference in what Madrid had offered and the demands of Vinicius Jr’s agents. Perez had put forward a proposal worth around €20million a year, after tax. The Brazilian’s camp were hoping for around 50% more than that.

There are few clubs in world football that could get anywhere near those figures and it may be teams in Saudi Arabia, who operate outside UEFA’s financial controls, are best placed.