Real Madrid 'worried' over Vinicius Junior future as Chelsea, PSG & Al Hilal lurk | OneFootball

Vinicius Junior has become the subject of speculative uncertainty at Real Madrid as the fallout from his second place finish in last week's Ballon d'Or rumbles on.

The Brazilian was considered hot favourite to land football's top individual prize until widespread reports a few hours before the ceremony revealed he hadn't. Real Madrid instantly cried disrespect and boycotted the whole event, despite still winning the team award and Carlo Ancelotti getting the men's coaching prize.

Former Madrid captain Karim Benzema, himself the Ballon d'Or winner in 2022, revealed he'd spoken to Vinicius and described the winger as “sad” over the apparent snub.

As if the reaction to not landing an individual prize hasn't been excessive already, there are suddenly murmurings that he could consider a future elsewhere.

MARCA highlight that Madrid are sticking to a policy that every player – even one as important as Vinicius – must accept and fall in line with the club's structure. There are no doubts about what he can do on the pitch, but it could serve to limit his earning potential.

Vinicius Junior might be able to earn more elsewhere / Denis Doyle/GettyImages

The publication adds that a conversation was held between the player and a high ranking club official prior to the Ballon d'Or saga, in which Vinicius "weighed the sporting and economic aspects". Now, another meeting is planned with his agent in the coming weeks.

SPORT add that Vinicius is "open" to continuing his future away from Spain, with his stance sparking a rift with president Florentino Perez, who is increasingly concerned about the prospect of losing the Brazilian.

The 24-year-old is being fulfilled in terms of sporting ambition, although the intense spotlight also takes a toll on whomever it glares upon and he "does not know what more he can do" to make himself stand out after a career best year. The suggestion is further uncertainty now that the Ballon d'Or has gone elsewhere, with Madrid breaking contact with France Football and UEFA.

Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are named as two suitors who would be interested in an opportune approach for Vinicius, whose contract at the Bernabeu is until 2027. But even lucrative contracts that could be on offer in London and Paris wouldn't be a patch on potential earnings in Saudi Arabia. Al Hilal, who have recently welcomed Neymar back from long-term injury, are billed as most interested.