Real Madrid and Vinicius: A painful game about salary

Real Madrid, this football giant, is facing a difficult choice to renew his contract with Brazilian winger Vinicius. This not only affects whether the rising superstar can be retained, but also affects the team's long-term salary structure and fiscal balance.

Seven years ago, Vinicius, who was only 18 years old, first entered the Bernabeu, and his salary was almost the bottom in the team. However, with his increasingly sophisticated performance on the court, he quickly made his mark. In 2022, Real Madrid completed a milestone renewal with him, with an annual salary soaring from 1.2 million euros to 4.7 million euros after tax, and added a number of performance-based bonus terms.

Now Vinicius is already an indispensable offensive core on Real Madrid's forward line. He helped the team to win the Champions League twice in 2022 and 2024, with outstanding achievements and important status. Currently, his contract with Real Madrid will last until 2027, with a total value of up to 150 million euros, with an average annual after-tax income of about 15 million euros. In addition, the contract also includes generous incentive bonuses. For example, if he can win the FIFA Player of the Year (The Best), he will receive an additional 2 million euros per season.

Although Vinicius' contract with Real Madrid is still two years away, in order to prevent other giants, especially Saudi clubs, from eyeing them, Real Madrid has begun to consider renewing their contract in advance.

However, according to the "As" newspaper, Vinicius's annual salary of 20 million euros after tax has put Real Madrid in a lot of pressure. If this requirement is accepted, Vinicius' salary will surpass Mbappe and Bellingham and join the team's maximum salary. Real Madrid management is concerned that once the salary cap is broken for Vinicius, it is likely to trigger a chain reaction, and other core players may follow suit and demand a salary increase, thus breaking the team's long-standing financial balance.

Spanish media also revealed that a Saudi club has issued an astonishing offer to Vinicius, with a total price of up to 350 million euros, including huge transfer fees and attractive personal treatment. This undoubtedly puts unprecedented pressure on Real Madrid.

Although Real Madrid President Florentinosu is known for firmly maintaining the club's core values, in the face of such an attractive offer, he had to re-examine: Is it worth breaking the team's salary system in order to keep Vinicius?

Vinitius has grown from a young Brazilian boy in the past to one of the most trusted players on Real Madrid's offensive line. His future not only concerns Real Madrid's tactical layout, but also affects the club's financial strategy and the harmony of the locker room.

Real Madrid hopes to complete the contract renewal in a reasonable and sustainable way, and avoid imbalance in salary structure while resisting the temptation of external high salaries. For Vinicius, he is facing a choice between money and dreams - should he continue to wear a white robe to pursue football glory, or should he choose Saudi Arabia's sky-high contract to start a new career?