Real Madrid have rebuffed Vinicius Junior’s request to match the salary of teammate Kylian Mbappe a move that has stalled contract talks and set the stage for a potentially fragile year ahead.
Vinicius Junior’s Mbappe Salary Match Ask Rejected by Blancos
As reported by SER Deportivos on July 25, 2025, the 25‑year‑old Brazilian winger sought a net salary comparable to Mbappe’s, including signing and performance bonuses.
Currently under contract until June 2027, Vinicius earns approximately €10 million net per season, while Mbappe has a base salary of about €15 million net and additional signing bonuses pushing his effective earnings closer to €25–30 million net each year.
Real Madrid’s management has firmly rejected the parity proposal, citing concerns over disrupting the internal salary hierarchy.
The club is wary of triggering a wage escalation involving other stars like Jude Bellingham, and intends to revisit salary discussions only if on‑field performance notably improves in the upcoming 2025 / 26 season.
Spanish media, including AS, suggest that current negotiations have been essentially paused since early 2025, with no meaningful progress over several months.
Real Madrid are reportedly offering Vinícius another season to prove his worth before considering a salary revision.
If no breakthrough arrives, the club would contemplate a summer 2026 sale, potentially at astronomical valuations with interest already reported from Saudi Arabian teams prepared to pay huge transfer fees.
Recent reactions from pundits have added a human layer to this saga. Journalist Manuel Jabois cautioned that matching Mbappe’s pay amid a dip in form could backfire, while Tomas Roncero warned Vinícius risks tarnishing his legacy at the club if his focus shifts more to financial gains than footballing output.
With Xabi Alonso poised to tighten tactical demands and standards at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real’s hierarchy appears determined to uphold a merit‑based structure one that rewards consistent elite performance over past glories.
