Vinícius returns quietly as Real Madrid future remains unresolved | OneFootball

Vinícius returned to Real Madrid’s pre-season with a low profile and few words, his future still up in the air.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, he arrived at Valdebebas before 8:30 after four weeks off, the longest break alongside newcomer Bernardo Silva. He logged a club-high 4,249 minutes in 53 of 56 matches last season, starting 48.

He completed medical tests at Hospital Sanitas in Valdebebas with Brahim and Bernardo, then greeted José Mourinho back at base. The forward has a refreshed look after chin surgery for facial harmonisation in Goiânia.

The pair shook hands and spoke briefly before training, easing the fallout from the Prestianni case in Lisbon. Madrid’s account is that a Benfica player used racist insults and that Mourinho sided with the Benfica player while criticising Vinícius’s celebration.

Mourinho now has 19 first-team players in, with five working apart through injury, Militao, Huijsen, Asencio, Mendy and Rodrygo. Yet to report are Courtois, Konaté, Cucurella, Tchouameni, Bellingham and Mbappé, while Diomande and Rodri will be added once already agreed transfers are announced. Vinícius trained again at 17:00.

A meeting this week is set to frame the Brazilian’s future, with neither side budging since their last meeting after the Club World Cup in Valdebebas. Differences remain over a signing-on fee, given he could be free next summer, and over his push to reclaim 80% of his image rights, a major income stream for the club. Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, are waiting for updates before moving with a bid.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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