The standoff that Vinícius keeps with Florentino Pérez over whether to renew or leave Real Madrid has entered a new chapter. In this case, it's about the conditions leaked by Vinícius's camp to put pressure on Florentino.
At the command post of Real Madrid, they're clear about it: Vinícius wants to stay at Bernabéu. However, he wants to stay as the boss and leader of the locker room.
Vinícius Júnior has sent Florentino Pérez a clear, direct, and hard-to-digest proposal. He's willing to renew his commitment to the white club, but not at any price.
He believes his time has come. The time to be recognized not just as another player, but as the team's reference point.
Mbappé's rise changes the landscape
Kylian Mbappé's arrival has disrupted the balance that used to reign in the locker room. The Brazilian feels that, since the French star's arrival, his status has been called into question.
Vinícius, who has been key in the club's latest titles, doesn't want to lose prominence. Much less now that, at 25, he's in his footballing prime.
That's why his camp has set out very clear conditions to finalize his renewal. He demands a loyalty bonus of 20 million euros. He considers this a fair gesture after having turned down staggering offers in the past from the Premier League, PSG, and Saudi Arabia.
He wants the sum of the bonus and his new salary, which he also wants to raise to 20 million net, to make him the highest-paid footballer at Real Madrid. Above Mbappé.
He wants to be the number one in the locker room
The issue goes beyond money. Vinícius doesn't want to be just another piece of the puzzle. He wants to be number one, the most important player.
The absolute reference in attack. Even ahead of Mbappé, with the aura of a global star.
This condition is what makes the offices at Real Madrid most uncomfortable. The club has always backed a collective structure, without absolute hierarchies.
Giving Vinícius that power would break with that tradition. It could cause possible tensions in a locker room that, for now, lives in harmony.
In addition, unlike Vinícius, Mbappé arrived at Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Florentino doesn't want another Neymar case
At Valdebebas, they haven't forgotten what happened back in the day with Neymar at Barça. A player who demanded a status that ended up contaminating the group. Florentino doesn't want that story to repeat itself at Real Madrid.
Although he values everything Vinícius has given the club, he also knows that no player is above the badge.
The president now faces a dilemma. Satisfy his star or set clear boundaries. For now, there's no agreement.
The tension is on the table. Vinícius's "yes" is about to come... if his conditions are met.