Real Madrid and Vinícius Júnior are no longer just haggling over numbers. They are locked in a power battle that could define both the club’s next era and the Brazilian star’s prime years.

According to reports from ESPN, SI.com and Fichajes, the European champions have delivered a clear message to their number 7: accept the offer that is already on the table, or be sold in the summer of 2026. No more rounds of negotiation, no more sweeteners. Take it or leave it.

For a player many see as the face of Real Madrid’s post-Benzema era, that ultimatum is massive. For the club, it is a hard line drawn to avoid another superstar walking away for free in 2027.

Real Madrid's ultimatum: renew now or leave in 2026

The core of the story is simple but brutal. Real Madrid have told Vinícius Júnior that if he does not accept their latest renewal proposal, he will be put on the market in the summer of 2026. That would be one year before his current deal ends in June 2027.

Fichajes, relayed by SI.com, summed up the stance clearly: “They have said that there will be no more contract talks; he must accept the last offer or leave in the summer.” Another headline from Fichajes nails the framing: “Real Madrid's Ultimatum to Vinícius: 'Renew now or leave'.”

From Madrid’s point of view, this is about control and planning. The club refuse to risk a world-class asset running down his deal and leaving for nothing in 2027. The message is as much for the dressing room and the market as it is for Vinícius himself: Real Madrid, not the players, set the terms.

"How did we get from 'future of the club' to 'accept or get sold' this fast?"

Inside the stalled Vinícius contract talks

The breakdown did not happen overnight. Negotiations over a new deal started back in February 2025. At first, both sides seemed close to an agreement.

Reports say the structure discussed was around €20 million per year in salary for Vinícius, plus €10 million in bonuses. That would recognise his status as one of the key players in the squad and one of the most dangerous forwards in Europe.

But when the final written offer arrived at the player’s camp, something had changed. According to ESPN, the new proposal did not include the bonuses that had been talked about. Vinícius' side felt the offer was not what they had expected. On the other side, Real Madrid sources believe there had been a verbal agreement that the player did not follow through on.

The result: the offer was rejected, and talks are now officially stalled.

As ESPN put it, “Negotiations over a new contract for Vinícius Júnior at Real Madrid remain stalled… there is now a scenario where talks do not resume until after the 2026 World Cup.”

The contract clock: why 2026 is the key year

Vinícius Júnior’s current deal runs until June 2027. On paper, that looks comfortable. But in modern football, the final two years of a contract are where big decisions happen.

Madrid remember too well how big names in Europe have left for free when clubs delayed or lost renewal battles. Allowing a star like Vinícius to enter the final year without clarity would hand all the power to the player and his agents.

That is why the summer of 2026 is the breaking point. If there is no extension signed by then, the club are prepared to sell, even if the player is still central to the team on the pitch.

To make the stance even firmer, Madrid sources say there are no plans for a fresh offer anytime soon. It is possible, as ESPN note, that talks do not restart until after the 2026 World Cup in North America. By then, the market value and the power balance could look very different.

"If Vini lights up the 2026 World Cup, how does Madrid expect to keep him on worse terms than rivals can offer?"

Money, pride and an outdated Vinícius deal

Part of the tension comes from how quickly the market has changed around Vinícius.

The Brazilian reportedly earns around €17 million net per year right now. That salary comes from his 2022 extension, which also included a symbolic €1 billion release clause and, at the time, was seen as a strong show of faith by the club.

But since then, he has become even more important, and the wage landscape at the top of the game has shifted. Other stars in England, France and even Saudi Arabia are earning more, and new big-money signings regularly come in on massive deals.

From Vinícius’ view, he is the face of the current Madrid project and should be rewarded at the very top level, including the bonuses he believed were agreed. From the club’s view, they are already offering a big rise and need to protect a balanced wage structure in a squad full of top talent.

When you add the feeling on both sides that the other has not fully kept to what was said in talks, you move from a simple contract discussion to a matter of pride and trust. That is often where negotiations become much harder to repair.

Strained relationship with Xabi Alonso adds fuel

This stand-off is not only about money and years. The sporting context matters too.

Reports suggest Vinícius’ relationship with Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso is not smooth. There have been benchings that surprised fans and media, and one flashpoint came in October’s Clásico when Vinícius reacted publicly to being taken off.

A tense dynamic with the coach can change how a player sees his future at a club. For a star who wants to feel fully trusted and central, being rotated or taken off in big moments can cut deep. For a coach trying to build a strong group, dealing with a huge personality can be just as tricky.

When contract strain meets a delicate coach-player relationship, it often pushes both sides closer to considering a clean break.

"If the coach and the star winger aren't aligned, something has to give – and Madrid usually back the shirt, not the name."

PSG, Manchester City and Saudi clubs watching closely

Whenever a player of Vinícius’ level hits contract trouble, the rest of the football world pays attention.

Reports link Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City with interest, along with clubs from Saudi Arabia willing to put extraordinary money on the table. All three options would be able to offer huge wages and build marketing campaigns around him.

PSG have often targeted top LaLiga names to replace outgoing stars. Manchester City, with their fast, attacking system under Pep Guardiola, could see Vinícius as another game-changing wide forward. Saudi clubs, meanwhile, would not hesitate to make him one of the highest-paid players in the world.

Right now, there is no sign of an active bidding war. But if Madrid put him up for sale in 2026, the queue for his signature will be long.

Real Madrid already drawing up a replacement list

Real Madrid are not waiting to see what happens. Reports say the club have already begun to shortlist possible replacements in case the ultimatum leads to a departure.

The names mentioned include:

• Jéremy Doku – The Manchester City winger, known for his electric pace and dribbling.
• Luis Díaz – Liverpool’s hard-working, dynamic wide attacker.
• Michael Olise – A creative, left-footed winger who can also play as a playmaker.
• Kenan Yıldız – A rising young star with strong technical skill and versatility in attack.
• Bukayo Saka – Arsenal’s leader on the right wing, already one of the top forwards in the Premier League.

None of these players would come cheap, and matching Vinícius’ instant impact at the Bernabéu would be a huge ask. But the very fact that Madrid are preparing options shows they are serious about their timeline: either Vinícius signs on their terms, or they move on.

What this saga means for Real Madrid and Vinícius

This story is about more than just one signature.

For Real Madrid, it is a test of their long-term planning and their ability to manage salaries in an era of super-club spending. It also sends a message to other players: contracts will be handled on the club’s schedule, not the player’s.

For Vinícius Júnior, it could be the turning point of his career. Stay, accept slightly less than he believes he could get elsewhere, and try to become a modern legend at the Bernabéu? Or hold firm, wait to see what happens after the 2026 World Cup, and maybe start a new chapter in England, France, or beyond?

Both sides know that any decision will echo for years. If he stays and the relationship heals, this period may one day look like a brief bump. If he goes, fans will remember this as the moment when the path to the exit really opened.

For now, the ball is at Vinícius’ feet – and Real Madrid have made it clear there will not be another pass coming his way.