Vinicius Junior signs new Real Madrid contract to 2032 - The Athletic

Vinicius Junior signs new Real Madrid contract to 2032

Real Madrid have confirmed that Vinicius Junior has signed a long-term contract extension that will keep the Brazil international at the club until June 30, 2032. The agreement follows a period of uncertainty regarding the 26-year-old's future as he entered the final 12 months of his previous deal.

The decision to renew follows significant interest from Arsenal. The Premier League champions had made the forward their top target to strengthen their attack following their title win last season, and the club's ownership was fully supportive of an ambitious move. Vinicius Jr was open to joining the English side had he chosen not to remain in Spain.

Negotiations for a new deal had been ongoing for 18 months, starting in January 2025. However, the process was not linear; sources indicate there were periods of significant distance between the two parties, with months passing without signs of rapprochement. The impasse ended on Wednesday, August 6, 2026, when Madrid and the player met to discuss a package designed to reflect the forward's importance to the club's project.

In a statement, Real Madrid said:

"Vinicius Jr has become one of the most important players in one of the most successful periods in our history."

Real Madrid, official statement

The renewal provides stability for a club undergoing a major transition. Jose Mourinho has returned as head coach, overseeing a summer of aggressive recruitment. Along with retaining Vinicius Jr, Madrid have signed winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig for a fee worth up to £120m (140m euros). Diomande is the sixth arrival of the summer, joining Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, and Carlos Espi.

Despite the "super-team" being assembled, the environment at the Bernabeu has been tense. Madrid finished the previous season second in La Liga, eight points behind Barcelona, marking a second consecutive year without a major trophy. This lack of success led to Vinicius Jr being booed by home supporters in recent months, with some fans opposing a pay rise for the player.

The relationship between the player and the returning manager, Mourinho, has also faced challenges. During a Champions League trip to Benfica on February 17, the match was stopped after Vinicius Jr alleged racial abuse from winger Gianluca Prestianni. While Prestianni was later banned by UEFA and FIFA after admitting to using a homophobic slur, Mourinho suggested to Amazon Prime that Vinicius Jr had incited the incident and provoked the abuse.

Sources close to the player said the comments were not well-received at the time, though they later clarified that the Brazilian had no issue with Mourinho's appointment as manager. Following his first training session back after the World Cup, Vinicius Jr told Real Madrid TV:

"(I’m) very well, getting to know the new manager, the new players, and working really hard in training... (Mourinho) wants me to be just as I’ve always been: happy, positive, and playing my own style of football."

Vinicius Junior, via Real Madrid TV

Since arriving from Flamengo in July 2018, Vinicius Jr has made 375 appearances, scoring 128 goals and providing 100 assists. His trophy cabinet includes three La Liga titles, two Champions League trophies, and one Copa del Rey. For Brazil, he has registered 13 goals in 54 caps.

While the contract secures Vinicius Jr, Madrid continue to pursue further reinforcements. The club is working on a deal for Manchester City midfielder Rodri, though the Spain captain is reported to prefer a move to rivals Barcelona, who have now entered the race for his signature.