Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League on alert: Vinicius puts forward Kylian Mbappe-inspired demand as Real Madrid nears contract decision
Just as Real Madrid appeared to be solidifying their next generation of Galacticos, a dramatic twist has unsettled the balance at the Santiago Bernabeu. Vinicius Jr., long hailed as the future of Madrid’s attack, has suspended contract extension negotiations with the club—a move that has raised eyebrows not only within La Liga but also in Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League, where clubs are closely monitoring the situation.
The club that once saw Vinicius as an untouchable figure may now be forced to make a defining choice: either meet the Brazilian’s new demands or risk losing one of their brightest stars—possibly to the Middle East.
For months, the two sides were said to be on the verge of an agreement to extend his current deal, which runs until 2027. Reports indicated both parties had aligned on key financial terms, with only the signature missing. But the narrative has changed.
“It’s a club I love. I hope I can stay here for many years,” Vinicius told Mundo Deportivo during the Club World Cup. “I have a two-year contract until 2027. I want to stay for my entire career and make history in this team.”
Despite those public reassurances, the Brazilian star has now reportedly pulled out of negotiations. The cause? A newly introduced demand that has shocked the Madrid hierarchy.
The Mbappe benchmark
According to Cadena COPE, Vinicius wants a contract that matches the salary of new Madrid arrival Kylian Mbappe—a staggering $36 million annual base, excluding bonuses and image rights.
Currently earning around $17 million net per season, Vinicius is pushing for a near-doubling of his salary to over $29 million per year, including signing bonuses and additional rights. The demand is a direct response to Mbappe’s blockbuster contract, which was arranged after his high-profile free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Real Madrid has drawn a line in the sand. According to journalist Anton Meana via SER Deportivos: “Real Madrid have made it clear they won’t offer Vinicius the same as Mbappe, prioritizing financial balance over individual demands. If he insists on that salary, Real Madrid will sell him.”
Florentino Perez’s dilemma
This firm stance from club president Florentino Perez reflects a wider concern: maintaining internal wage harmony. Club officials fear that meeting Vinicius’ request could ignite a chain reaction among other stars like Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo, all of whom may soon demand pay parity.
“Vinicius’s inconsistent season didn’t justify a financial leap,” noted Cadena SER, citing internal feedback. With Xabi Alonso no longer seeing the Brazilian as ‘untouchable’, the timing of the demand has created further tensions.
Madrid’s message is now clear: The 25-year-old has one more season to prove himself. If there’s no agreement by the end of the 2025-26 campaign, the club will consider a sale in 2026, avoiding the risk of losing him for free in 2027.
Saudi Arabia’s unthinkable offer
Enter the Saudi Pro League, which is reportedly ready to shatter all transfer records. According to Ben Jacobs, a Saudi club is preparing a $411 million offer to Real Madrid—and an unprecedented $1.1 billion over five years for Vinicius himself.
That amounts to $235 million per year, a sum that no player in history has ever earned. The proposal would instantly make the Brazilian the highest-paid athlete of all time, even surpassing Ronaldo’s monumental earnings.