Vinicius Junior returned with a clear smile in front of Real Madrid fans during the training session that the club opened to its members on the morning of the 30th, in a scene that carried positive signs after a period of controversy.

The Brazilian star had left the Santiago Bernabéu stadium to the sound of loud boos from the crowd when he was substituted in the match against Sevilla—a moment that stayed with him throughout his vacation.

The player returned to Madrid with a clear mind and renewed motivation, determined to deliver an exceptional second half of the season, especially with the major upcoming events, foremost among them the next World Cup. This comes at a highly sensitive time, as the player's contract expires in June 2027, and with the contract entering its final stages (18 months remaining), it is imperative for both parties to make decisive decisions.

According to reports, the option to renew is still strongly on the table, as Vinicius wants to continue with the "club of his life," while Real Madrid is keen to retain one of its most important sporting and marketing assets, especially since replacing a player of his caliber would be extremely costly.

Vinícius was keen to send a clear message at the start of 2026 through his social media accounts, where he posted a picture of himself wearing a Real Madrid jersey accompanied by the phrase: "I hope 2026 will be a great year. Hala Madrid always! Love you all." This message was seen as a clear declaration of his intention to stay.

On the negotiations front, Real Madrid is expected to resume renewal talks soon, which had abruptly halted since the Club World Cup period. Although the initial disagreement was purely financial, due to the player's high demands, Vinícius later showed considerable flexibility and lowered his demands, before the negotiations stalled again despite the convergence of viewpoints.

Current data indicate that the gap between the two parties does not exceed about 15% of the proposed financial value, a difference that can be reduced. However, several other factors will play a decisive role, most notably the nature of the player's relationship with the Bernabéu fans, as well as the development of his relationship with coach Xabi Alonso, which has improved relatively but is still under close observation.

As Vinícius approaches the final year of his contract following next summer's World Cup, Real Madrid understands that crossing these "red lines" could give the player greater negotiating power and potentially open the door to a free transfer in the future. Therefore, the coming months appear to be crucial in shaping the future of one of the Royal Team's brightest stars.