Vinicius Junior set to extend his stay at Real Madrid

By SABC Sport
10th October 2023

Real Madrid are on the verge of securing a new long-term contract for their Brazilian sensation Vinicius Junior.

Reports from renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano indicate that the new deal is "101% sealed," signalling the club's intent to retain their talented forward.

Despite grappling with injuries this season, the 23-year-old has demonstrated his worth, amassing three goals and an assist in just seven appearances across various competitions. Since his arrival from Flamengo in 2018, Vinicius has featured prominently for Real Madrid, tallying an impressive 232 appearances, with 62 goals and 65 assists to his name.

Vinicius's last season at the club was undoubtedly his most prolific, with a remarkable 23 goals and 21 assists in 55 outings. In a recent 4-0 victory against Osasuna, the young Brazilian notched another goal and an assist, expressing his deep commitment to the club after the match: "It is always an honour to play here at Real Madrid, with these fans and the love they have for me. I am very happy to play here, and I want to continue playing here at Real Madrid all my life."

The impending contract extension for Vinicius is rumoured to span until 2027, featuring an eye-catching release clause of ‚¬1 billion (£870 million). This clause underlines Real Madrid's determination to safeguard their prized asset.

Vinicius was not the only standout performer against Osasuna. Joselu and Jude Bellingham also found the net, with the latter bagging a brace, taking his tally to an astonishing 10 goals in just 10 appearances this season.

Real Madrid's head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, praised Bellingham's versatility, stating, "He's finding a lot of possibilities in attack, he's very involved, I've told him that he doesn't have a fixed position and that's benefiting him."

Despite being only 20 years old, Bellingham's maturity and rapid development have astounded observers. Ancelotti added, "This maturity that he has, he makes us forget that he's 20 years old. He's learned very quickly, and he's very happy to be here and is enjoying his time, but always with his feet on the ground and very serious and professional."

Real Madrid, riding a four-game winning streak in all competitions, are primed for their next challenge. They will aim to maintain their winning ways when they face Sevilla in La Liga action on October 21.

As Real Madrid continue to build for the future, securing Vinicius Junior's commitment represents a pivotal step in maintaining their status as a footballing powerhouse. With exciting talents like Vinicius and Bellingham, the future looks bright for Los Blancos.