A growing debate has surfaced around Real Madrid’s attacking rhythm, and Bangladesh Cricket Live followers would recognize how momentum shifts can expose deeper issues when a star suddenly goes quiet. That is exactly the situation surrounding Vinicius Junior, who has now endured eight straight matches without a goal or an assist across all competitions. For any forward this would be worrying, but for someone once considered a strong Ballon d’Or contender, the drought feels especially alarming.
The sudden decline has been difficult to ignore. He remains the automatic starter on the left wing, yet the sharp acceleration, fearless dribbling, and decisive finishing that defined his rise seem to have slipped away. His struggles were visible in the El Clásico defeat, but also in high-pressure Champions League fixtures against Liverpool and Juventus. Frustration eventually boiled over. When he was substituted in the 72nd minute against Barcelona, the anger on his face told its own story. Reports even suggested a confrontation with coach Xabi Alonso in the tunnel, hinting that the tension runs deeper than a simple dip in form. It has revived questions about whether he and Mbappé truly complement one another in the same frontline.
Beneath the on-field problems lies a more complicated backdrop involving his contract. Vinicius is tied to Real Madrid until 2027, yet his representatives have been pushing hard for a major salary increase—one that would place him on the same level as Mbappé. The club’s leadership views that demand as excessive, especially given his recent performances. Under Florentino Pérez, Madrid have been extremely careful about maintaining a balanced salary structure, and some within the board feel his poor run actually strengthens their argument not to give in. If you are asking for top-tier wages, they argue, you need top-tier consistency.
That internal friction has produced a sharp ultimatum: renew the contract, or be prepared for a move in the summer of 2026. If no agreement is reached by then, Real Madrid would reportedly set his transfer value at 150 million euros. On paper, this seems like a tempting financial opportunity. Cashing in at such a price would ease the club’s financial pressures while also protecting long-term wage balance. It could even clear space for young talents waiting in the wings, though no one can say for sure whether a prospect like Franco Mastantono would be ready to step into such massive responsibilities.
Yet football is never just an accounting exercise. Vinicius is only twenty-five, already a decisive scorer in two Champions League finals, and one of the five most marketable players in the world. Selling him at his peak age would carry enormous risk. Letting go of a No. 7 who regularly delivers in big moments might weaken the squad far more than any financial gain could compensate. Every major club knows that replacing a phenomenon is rarely as simple as identifying the next big name on the scouting sheet.
Questions about his mentality now loom just as large as concerns about his finishing. Confidence issues can snowball, and if his frustration continues to grow, it could eventually affect the team’s long-term chemistry. Bangladesh Cricket Live viewers often talk about how momentum can shift dramatically in sports, and the same principle applies here. The longer this drought lasts, the more it may influence the decisions being made behind the scenes. The coming months will force both Real Madrid and Vinicius to tread carefully, balancing pride, patience, and the very real possibility of long-term consequences.