Vinicius Junior signs new six-year contract with Real Madrid, ending Arsenal speculation and uncertain future with La Liga club

The 26-year-old has faced an uncertain future at the Bernabeu for around two years, since reports of lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia emerged.

And following tensions with former Real head coach Xabi Alonso last season, talks over a new deal reportedly stalled – with Vinicius’ previous terms due to expire next summer.

But he is now set to stay at the club he joined from Flamengo in 2018.

Real said in a statement: “Real Madrid C.F. and Vinicius Junior have agreed to extend our player’s contract, which now keeps him at the club until 30 June 2032.”

The statement added: “Vinicius Junior has become one of the most important players during one of the most successful periods in our history.”

Vinicius has helped Real to three Spanish titles, while also winning the UEFA Champions League twice. He scored twice in the final, and twice in the semi-finals when the club last won the competition in 2024.

He also scored the winner in Real’s 1-0 victory against Liverpool in the 2022 Champions League final.

The forward scored four times in five appearances at this summer’s World Cup, as his Brazil side suffered a disappointing round-of-16 exit to Norway.

For Real, Vinicius has appeared 375 times, scoring 128 goals. His stunning 2023/24 season, in which he scored 15 times in the league, alongside six Champions League goals, saw him finish as runner-up to Manchester City midfielder Rodri in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

He emerged with some integral contributions for Real again last season, including a double in a 3-2 league victory against Atletico Madrid, while also netting twice in the Champions League knockout phase play-off second leg against Man City.

However, the 2025/26 campaign was the second in succession which saw Real fail to win a major trophy.

Jose Mourinho has since been appointed the club’s new head coach, and Vinicius will be a part of a squad bolstered by the additions of Yan Diomande, Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries.