Ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper comments on Vinicius contract situation: ‘Telling his agent to put pressure…’ | OneFootball

With 2026 just around the corner, one of Real Madrid’s priorities in the new year will be to renew the contract of Vinicius Jr.

The Brazilian international’s current contract at Santiago Bernabeu expires in 2027, meaning he will enter the final 12 months of his deal by the start of next season.

Real Madrid have been in active negotiations with Vinicius Jr. for a while now, but are yet to reach an agreement with the Brazilian international.

A sticking point in the negotiations has been the salary the player is demanding, with Real Madrid unwilling to put him in the same bracket as star player Kylian Mbappe.

Santi Canizares on Vinicius contract situation

In a recent interview with COPE (h/t Mundo Deportivo), former Real Madrid goalkeeper Santi Canizares has offered his view on the Vinicius contract situation.

The Spaniard argued that the terms being demanded by Vinicius from Real Madrid don’t correlate with his recent performances.

Vinicius Jr. is going through a tough time at Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“The fee, if it’s based on what Vinicius is doing, certainly doesn’t correspond to the figures being discussed, to what will be on the table. But the fact is, his fee doesn’t correspond to that of most of the Real Madrid players,” he said.

Canizares added that Real Madrid, should they reach an agreement with Vinicius Jr., will essentially be paying the player for what he was and what’s to come, rather than what he is now.

“The player is telling his agent to put pressure on the club because his contract is short and will end soon,” he added.

“He also said that the club should pay for the expectations and for what he was, because he was a great player who almost won the Ballon d’Or and won a Champions League title, scoring goals,” he concluded.

While Vinicius was indeed close to winning the Ballon d’Or in 2024, he has been barely a shadow of his former self since. This season, for example, he has racked up only six goals in all competitions, including the one scored in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Vinicius has been goalless in the last 16 consecutive matches for Real Madrid, which led to fans whilsting and booing him in the recent win over Sevilla.