ไทย
English
中國人
After scoring twice to guide Real Madrid past crosstown rivals Atlético Madrid, Vinicius Junior couldn't resist taunting Diego Simeone along the sideline.
As the No. 7 exited the field in the 87th minute on Sunday night, he walked past the Argentine manager on his way to the dugout, singing, "They're going to sell me, they're going to sell me."
DAZN captured the exchange, which was a direct reference to the Spanish Super Cup semifinals in January, when Simeone attempted to get under Vinicius Jr's skin by telling him that "Florentino [Pérez] was going to sell him."
At that point, the Brazilian attacker was enduring a 16-match scoring drought, performing well below his usual standard under former manager Xabi Alonso. While Real Madrid ultimately claimed victory in the Madrid derby in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Vinicius Jr played little more than a peripheral role in the contest.
Three months on, the 2024 Ballon d'Or runner-up had his revenge against Simeone, netting a brace to help Real Madrid complete a 3–2 comeback win and keep the 15-time European champions firmly in the La Liga title hunt.
Vinicius Jr Back at His Best Under Arbeloa—But Can It Last?
Vinicius Jr's difficulties in the opening half of the season feel like a distant memory at this point. The 25-year-old has re-emerged as the most lethal weapon in Los Blancos' arsenal, racking up 14 goal contributions—12 goals and two assists—in 2026.
Álvaro Arbeloa has made no secret of his belief in and enthusiasm for Vinicius Jr, adopting a markedly different approach from Alonso's strained handling of the Brazil international. The new head coach has handed the winger back control of the attack, and Real Madrid are reaping the rewards.
Much of Vinicius Jr's recent resurgence has come with Kylian Mbappé sidelined, however, sparking some concern now that the Frenchman has returned to full fitness and is expected to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup when league play resumes in April. The two stars will once again be required to coexist, something that has proven quite challenging over the past two seasons.
With the Champions League quarterfinals against Bayern Munich fast approaching, Arbeloa will have little room to troubleshoot any issues in his setup should Vinicius Jr's form dip following Mbappé's return.
Where Vinicius Jr's Contract Renewal Stands
As Vinicius Jr found his footing again, speculation over a possible departure began to fade. With his deal set to run out in 2027, the Brazilian's long-term future had appeared uncertain, particularly after contract extension discussions stalled during Alonso's tenure.
Now that the Spaniard has departed, a fresh contract for Vinicius Jr is "closer than ever," according to AS. Any uncertainty surrounding his future in the famous white jersey is "history," with the club considering securing the No. 7 an absolute "necessity."
With the season building toward its conclusion and the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, it may still be several months before both parties reach a formal agreement. A key sticking point has been the player's wage demands—Vinicius Jr is reportedly seeking $34.6 million (€30 million) per season, a figure Los Blancos have been reluctant to meet.
Depending on how the remainder of the 2025–26 campaign unfolds, Real Madrid may ultimately feel compelled to meet the record-breaking demands of their most iconic player.