According to a report by SPORT, Vinicius Jr. and his Real Madrid teammates have developed a rift after the side clashed with Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League‘s Round of 16. Los Blancos defeated their crosstown rivals on penalties after the Brazilian missed a spot kick during regular time.
The Ballon d’Or runner-up was reluctant to track back and help his team defend in the match, irritating Jude Bellingham, who gestured for the 24-year-old to defend. The Brazilian instead confronted the English midfielder and turned his frustrations towards his manager, Carlo Ancelotti, and his assistant, Francesco Mauri. His actions reportedly rubbed his teammates the wrong way, with the stars at the club growing tired of his attitude.
Due to his wage demands, the Spanish giants also have difficulty extending Vinicius Jr.’s contract. The Brazilian, who views himself as the club’s most influential player, demands a higher salary than Kylian Mbappe’s. This demand is far from popular with club president Florentino Perez.
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Vinicius Jr joined Real Madrid from Flamengo in the summer of 2018 for a reported € 45 million. In 304 games, he scored 103 goals and 71 assists, helping the team win three LaLiga titles, two UEFA Champions League titles, and one Copa del Rey.
Vinicius Jr reveals Real Madrid ordered him to boycott the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
Vinicius Jr. has revealed that he missed the Ballon d'Or ceremony because Real Madrid ordered him to boycott it. The Brazilian forward was widely tipped to claim the award in Paris last October but lost to Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
In a recent interview, the Ballon d'Or runner-up revealed he had no ill feelings about missing out on the prize to his Spanish counterpart, saying via Goal:
"Always the club's [decision]. I do what the club tells me to do. They asked me to stay in Madrid and I did it calmly."
"I didn't feel betrayed [by not winning]. There are people who vote for what they believe. I have my thoughts, my team-mates too. I have never dreamed of winning the Ballon d'Or. Of course, when you're close to winning it you want to win it, but I'll have options to win other awards. I've already won two Champions Leagues and I'm here to win a lot more."
Vinicius was irrepressible for Real Madrid last season, bagging 25 goals and 11 assists in 40 games to help the Spanish giants to the LaLiga and UEFA Champions League titles.
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Vinicius Jr.'s Real Madrid Future in Question Amidst Team Discord and Contractual Disputes
Recent reports from SPORT suggest a growing rift between Vinicius Jr. and his Real Madrid teammates. This discord reportedly surfaced following a heated UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against local rivals Atletico Madrid. Despite Real Madrid securing victory in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw (Vinicius Jr. notably missed his penalty in regular time), tensions within the squad appear to be simmering.
According to sources, the Brazilian forward's reluctance to contribute defensively during the match raised eyebrows and frustrations. Jude Bellingham, in particular, was visibly annoyed, gesturing for Vinicius Jr. to track back and support the defense. Instead of heeding his teammate's call, Vinicius Jr. is said to have confronted Bellingham before directing his irritation towards manager Carlo Ancelotti and assistant coach Francesco Mauri. These actions are believed to have alienated some of the Real Madrid stars, who are reportedly growing weary of the Brazilian's attitude on the pitch.
Compounding the issue is Vinicius Jr.'s contract situation. Negotiations for an extension are proving difficult due to the player's significant wage demands. Vinicius Jr. reportedly perceives himself as Real Madrid's most influential player and is seeking a salary exceeding that of Kylian Mbappe. This ambitious demand is allegedly causing friction with club president Florentino Perez, who may be hesitant to meet such high financial expectations.
Vinicius Jr.'s journey with Real Madrid began in 2018 when he joined from Flamengo for €45 million. His contributions to the team have been substantial, with 103 goals and 71 assists in 304 appearances. During his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, he has helped Los Blancos secure:
- Three La Liga titles
- Two UEFA Champions League titles
- One Copa del Rey title
Ballon d'Or Boycott? Vinicius Jr. Claims Real Madrid Ordered Ceremony Absence
Adding another layer of intrigue to the Vinicius Jr. narrative, the player has revealed that his absence from the Ballon d'Or ceremony was not of his own volition. According to Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid instructed him to boycott the prestigious event. He was a strong contender for the coveted award last year, ultimately finishing as runner-up to Manchester City's Rodri.
In a recent interview reported by Goal, Vinicius Jr. stated that he holds no resentment for missing out on the Ballon d'Or and attributed his absence to club directives:
"Always the club's [decision]. I do what the club tells me to do. They asked me to stay in Madrid and I did it calmly."
"I didn't feel betrayed [by not winning]. There are people who vote for what they believe. I have my thoughts, my team-mates too. I have never dreamed of winning the Ballon d'Or. Of course, when you're close to winning it you want to win it, but I'll have options to win other awards. I've already won two Champions Leagues and I'm here to win a lot more."
Indeed, Vinicius Jr.'s previous season was remarkably impressive, netting 25 goals and providing 11 assists in 40 games. His stellar performances were instrumental in Real Madrid's triumphs in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
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Are the reported tensions and contract disagreements substantial enough to potentially lead to a Vinicius Jr. departure from Real Madrid? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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