Vinicius Jr wants Cristiano Ronaldo's peak salary at Real Madrid: Report

Talks between the club and the player have not found a breakthrough.

During increasingly difficult negotiations for a new deal, Vinicius Jr reportedly wanted a salary package equivalent to the club-record wage Real Madrid paid Cristiano Ronaldo at his prime.

The Brazilian forward’s contract with the Spanish powerhouses is set to expire in 2027. Back in February, Vinicius stated that he and the club were openly discussing new terms; however, according to the latest reports from Spain, talks have stalled.

It is believed that Real Madrid are hesitant to pay Vinicius, as it will set a precedent for future players to seek ever-higher salaries. To visualise the long-term harm that might result from a skyrocketing pay bill, Real Madrid simply need to look at their LaLiga rivals, FC Barcelona.

According to reports, Vinicius’s representatives requested what The Athletic calls a “historic contract” during the initial round of extension talks at the beginning of the year.

Vinicius Jr wants to earn as much as Madrid paid Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player in Real Madrid history to receive the highest yearly pay demand, which is estimated to be over €30 million ($35 million). Even the renowned Portuguese forward, however, was not granted the “renewal bonus” that Vinicius Jr allegedly demanded.

Madrid are believed to have a €20 million annual pay cap. According to reports, this is the amount Kylian Mbappé makes as the team’s top earner. It is also the same amount that the club allegedly promised Vinicius before his exorbitant conditions came into play.

The club’s hesitation to cover such a cost goes beyond historical norms. The recent performances of the Brazil star, who is “out of favour” at the Santiago Bernabéu, are believed to raise serious concerns.

Before Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered an injury prior to the match, new manager Xabi Alonso appeared ready to bench Vinicius for this summer’s Club World Cup semifinal matchup against Paris Saint-Germain. After being forced to start on the opposite side with Mbappé out left and Gonzalo García through the middle, the 25-year-old was ultimately “disappointed.”

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