(Football news) The 24-year-old has endured a difficult week in football terms, starting in late October when he learnt that Rodri of Manchester City had clinched the 2024 Balon d’Or.
Following a mesmerizing 2023-24 campaign in which he lifted La Liga and the Champions League at Wembley, Vinicius was widely expected to collect the award.
Returning to the pitch for the first time since that shock news on Saturday evening, the Brazilian suffered his heaviest defeat of the season to date.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were silenced on their own turf by archrivals Barcelona, with a Robert Lewandowski brace prior to strikes from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha securing a four-goal success for Hansi Flick’s troops.
Real Madrid’s relationship with Vinicius strained?
According to multiple reports, the relationship between Real Madrid and star player Vinicius has entered a difficult moment following a tough week for both parties.
The report claims that the 24-year-old could be set to review his sporting priorities following his failure to win the 2024 Balon d’Or in October.
It is understood that Vinicius has a big-money offer on the table from the Saudi Pro League, who are once again aiming to lure some of the sport’s biggest players away from the European ecosystem.
As well as a switch to the Middle East, the Brazilian has also been linked to Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea.
Vinicius’s contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires during the summer of 2027 and contains an eye-watering £840 million termination clause.
Vini’s immediate future
Highly unlikely to depart Real Madrid before the conclusion of the 2024–25 term, Vinicius will be fully focused on regaining Spanish and European crowns as part of Ancelotti’s juggernaut of a club side.
The 24-year-old has commenced the domestic term in impressive style, scoring five times and providing four assists across 11 La Liga matches.
The former Flamengo youngster has also stepped up on the continental stage, bagging a hat-trick during the 5-2 win in the Champions League over Borussia Dortmund on October 22.
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