At Real Madrid, they're not used to being taken for fools. Much less when it comes to one of the club's most promising players.
Vinícius Júnior has been, over the past few seasons, the face of the project. However, his current situation is starting to make more than one person uncomfortable.
Messages are being leaked from the footballer's inner circle. Rumors, insinuations, and an increasingly obvious feeling: the Brazilian is in no hurry to renew his contract.
In fact, everything suggests that his idea is something very different. The strategy seems clear. Let the months go by, run out the contract, and leave as a free agent.
This scenario would allow Vini to collect a multimillion signing bonus at another club, without Madrid seeing a single euro.
Florentino goes on the offensive
However, if there's one thing Florentino Pérez has shown during his years in charge, it's that he doesn't tie himself to anyone. Not even his stars. He already did it with Cristiano Ronaldo, and he wouldn't hesitate to repeat the move if he considers it necessary.
The president's response has been blunt. If Vinícius doesn't renew before the end of the year, he'll be automatically put on the market.
Letting him leave for free isn't an option. Not after investing €45 million when he was barely 18 years old.
Madrid isn't going to allow any player to play with its timing. Much less one who, for now, hasn't received any formal offer. Not from PSG, not from the Premier League, not from Arabia.
Renew, leave... or the bench
The message has reached the locker room loud and clear: either he renews, or he leaves. If he doesn't accept either option, there's a third way.
The most drastic one. The one nobody wants to see. Spending the entire season on the bench.
Florentino has already given the green light to this possibility if the footballer decides to wait until the last day of his contract. An exemplary punishment that would serve as a warning to others. Moreover, it wouldn't be a sporting drama with Kylian Mbappé on the team.
With the Frenchman in the squad and Nico Williams as a possible replacement, Madrid no longer lives at the mercy of Vini's whims. That changes everything.
The locker room, in silence
Among his teammates, there's surprise. Some don't understand the Brazilian's stance.
Others think he's chosen the wrong strategy. Everyone knows that you don't play games with Florentino.
Vinícius still has time to backtrack. If he doesn't do it soon, he could find himself out sooner than he thinks. Or, even worse, forgotten on the Valdebebas bench.