it was believed that Vinicius JuniorYear of. in 2024 real Madridstar forward had won LaLigaand he won uefa champions leagueNext, logically, would be the Ballon d’Or.
Almost everyone thought so, a sentiment expressed most vociferously in the former Manchester United Player Rio Ferdinand, who won the “Ballon d’Or!” Six times into the microphone — count them – After Vinny Jr. scores the second goal for Madrid in the 2024 Champions League Final.
But Vinicius could not win the 2024 Ballon d’Or. rodri Did. On October 28 last year, Vinicius and Real Madrid found that brazil The forward wasn’t about to cap off a memorable 12 months by claiming the most prestigious individual award in football. In fact, He was going to finish as runner up For more low-key Manchester City And spain Midfielder.
Madrid’s response was to boycott the ceremony, Cancellation of plans for a large delegation to visit Parisand severed ties with organizer France Football.
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In Madrid, second best isn’t nearly enough. Vinnie Jr.’s reaction was one of defiance, just like him. Objectionable post made on social media: “I’d do it 10 times if I had to. They’re not ready,” The message was clear: If not this year, next year. It’s a matter of time.
But 2025 was also not Vinicius’ year. Real Madrid ended last season without a major trophy, losing a record-breaking four classicos To barcelona along the way. But fifa club world cup Under new coach Sunday’s LaLiga win But jetafe,
Vinicius, 25, is still expected to start at the latest on Sunday classico against Barça (Stream live on ESPN+ in the US), at the Santiago Bernabéu. But he will no longer enter the game as Madrid’s brightest star. it is undoubtedly kilian mbappeWho has taken his game to a different level by scoring in 10 of the team’s 11 matches so far this season.
It’s been a turnaround in the last 12 months, as Vinicius’s inevitable Ballon d’Or crowning has led to inconsistent performance levels, a diminished status in the Real Madrid team and even doubts over his long-term future at the club.
In the 365 days before his Ballon d’Or snub – from October 28, 2023 to October 27, 2024 – Vinicius made an inspiring claim to being the world’s best player.
He scored 18 goals in 30 La Liga appearances at that time, a rate of 0.6 goals per game. The only players to score more La Liga goals in that period were three pure centre-forwards, two of them in career-best form: Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski (28), Alexander Sorloth (22, for Villarreal And Atletico Madrid) And Artem Dovbyk (19), then girona,
His role is defined by goal-scoring; Vinicius’ game offers much more. In those 365 days, he provided eight assists (ahead of a total of six La Liga players) and created 49 chances, placing him 16th in the league. Arguably his greatest asset, dribbling, helped him produce a league-high 227 successful take-ons, which is even higher. Lamin Yamal (225), nico williams (201) and Savinho (194).
In that time, Vinicius has also put in a number of impressive performances in the Champions League. Only one player, harry kaneVinny was able to top Junior’s 11 goal contributions (eight goals and three assists). In terms of wing play, no player came close to his 95 take-ons (Mbappé was next on 70).
He scored twice on April 30, 2024 Semi-final draw 2-2 But Bayern MunichA month later, he scored the second trophy-winning goal in the last against borussia dortmund At Wembley. Later that year – just six days before the Ballon d’Or ceremony – he produced one of his most brilliant individual performances: scoring a second-half hat-trick in another win over Dortmund, 5-2 at the Bernabéu. Madrid trailed 0-2 with half an hour remaining until Vinicius single-handedly rewrote the script in a way few players could.
The next year – from October 28, 2024 to today – has been less reassuring. With 11 goals in 28 LaLiga appearances, Vinicius’ scoring rate has dropped to 0.4 goals per game. In that time, 11 LaLiga players have scored more Rafinha (15) and athletic club‘S Oihan Sunset (12), none of them are center forwards.
Vinicius has recorded eight more assists, the same number as in the last 12 months – only Yamal has more, with 11 – but three of those have come in the last month as his form improved. Vinicius played 15 league games, and almost six long months, between November 24, 2024 and May 11, 2025, without providing a single La Liga assist to his teammates.
Of course, some of that decline can be attributed to Madrid’s all-round disappointing performance in the 2024-25 season and wider issues far beyond one player. Vinicius still created 59 chances for teammates last year, an increase of 10 on the previous 12 months, with only six LaLiga players – Pedri, Alex BaenaRafinha, Mbappé, this And louis milla –Making more.
But in that troubling, unassisted 15-game run, the team dropped points in six games, many of which were against so-called beatable opponents: rayo vallecano, espanyolAtletico Madrid, Osasuna, real daughters And ValenciaMadrid finished the season four points behind champions Barcelona.
Meanwhile, in the Champions League, Vinicius bounced back from his defeat against the Ballon d’Or by scoring four goals in three matches. AC Milan, atlanta And RB salzburgBefore his man of the match performance in Madrid 3-2 win in first leg of playoff At Manchester City on February 11, 2025.
But after that – against Atlético Madrid in the round of 16, and armory In the quarter-finals – his impact was limited, scoring just one goal against the Gunners at the Bernabéu. Only 10 players have scored more Champions League goals and assists compared to Vinicius’ seven last year, while 17 players have created more chances.
For this year’s Ballon d’Or, the two main contenders were Yamal and ousmane dembelewith Paris Saint GermainChampions League winning exploits Dembele earns the trophy Vinicius was 16th in the voting at the ceremony in Paris on 22 September,
Following Vinicius’ close relationship with Carlo Ancelotti – now his national team coach in Brazil – Alonso’s arrival means a re-evaluation of his position at Real Madrid. Under Ancelotti, if Vinicius was fit, he always started.
But Alonso left Vinicius out of the starting lineup for the Madrid game real oviedo On August 24, and against marseille in the Champions League on 16 September, a decision that came as a surprise inside the club, according to a source.
In both matches, Alonso gave preference to Vini’s compatriot rodrigoWho has told the coach that he also wants his name to be considered for selection in the left wing. Even when Vinicius started games under Alonso, he did not stay on the field often.
Vinicius completed the full 90 minutes only once in Alonso’s first 12 games in charge in all competitions. At the start of the season, the player’s entourage told ESPN that they were unhappy with Alonso’s use of Vinicius, although the situation has improved since he played 90 minutes in three of the last five matches – and Alonso has remained publicly supportive.
“He had a huge impact,” Alonso speaks about Vinicius’ latest contribution as a substituteIn Getafe on Sunday. “We talked about it this morning, he [the players] Can be just as important from the start, or changing games off the bench. And the same thing happened. …That’s what it’s about, everyone knows they can be important in their role.”
Vinicius’ form has improved in the last month. He excelled in Madrid win 4-1 But levante On September 23, contributed one goal and one assist. He scored twice in one of the team’s toughest tests this season, a win 3-1 Top four chasers Villarreal were overtaken on 4 October. And at Getafe, he changed the game by coming on in the 55th minute, causing two opposition players trouble – alan nyom And Alex Sancris – When he tried to tackle him he was sent off.
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Could Vinicius Junior really be leaving Real Madrid?
Gabe Marcotti discusses the possibility of Vinicius Jr. leaving Real Madrid and where he could go.
Vinicius’ short-term future is clear: after a shaky start, he once again looks to be a key part of a Madrid team looking to beat Barcelona to win the title, and improve on last season’s quarter-final Champions League exit.
Looking ahead, no such clarity is visible. Sources told ESPN that contract talks – with Vinicius’ current deal set to expire in June 2027 – are at a standstill.
Some progress was made in negotiations in May, when a fixed €20 million per year as well as a possible new agreement of various €10m were discussed. However, the club’s formal offer then failed to include those bonuses, sources said.
On that basis, Vinicius’ representatives did not see the need to agree to a three-year extension when the player already earns around €17m a year after tax, including bonuses, and preferred to wait to see how this season would play out.
However, multiple club sources paint a different picture, with some saying there is some unhappiness behind the scenes at the Bernabeu over how the player has handled negotiations. A source claimed that Madrid believed the renewal was on track before the players’ demands changed.
Madrid are confident Vinicius will renew, but a source said that – unless the situation changes – it would no longer be a shock if the player sought to terminate his contract and leave on a free transfer in 2027.
the interest that arose from Saudi Pro League Last year was not followed up in 2025, and Vinicius’ camp has since played down that possibility.
Recent history suggests that in a contract impasse at the Bernabeu, even the biggest stars – think Cristiano Ronaldo Or sergio ramos – Do not tend to come out on top. But there is no precedent for a Madrid star choosing to terminate his contract, at the height of his prime.
“I’m happy to play here with the best players, best coaches in the world [Ancelotti]best president [Florentino Pérez]Where everybody loves me,” Vinicius said last season,
“I couldn’t be anywhere better than here.”
Is this still true? The answer will depend on Vinicius’ form, his developing relationship with Alonso and how the player and club manage his contract situation.
ESPN’s Gustavo Hoffman and Rodrigo Faez contributed to this report
