The future of Real Madrid‘s Brazilian forward, Vinícius Júnior, has become a subject of intensifying speculation as his contract with the Spanish giants is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2026/2027 season. Despite ongoing discussions, an agreement on a contract renewal has yet to be reached between the player and the club’s management, fueling reports of a potential departure from the Santiago Bernabéu.
Should Vinícius decide to leave Real Madrid, he would not be short of enticing alternatives. A move to the English Premier League or the lucrative Saudi Pro League has been frequently mentioned as plausible destinations. Furthermore, some narratives have even suggested a romantic return to his boyhood club, Flamengo, in the Brazilian Serie A.
A Precedent and a Stark Contrast
This speculation gains an interesting context following Flamengo‘s recent successful operation to bring another of their former players back to Brazil. In the last winter transfer window, the Rio de Janeiro-based club secured the return of Lucas Paquetá from West Ham United.
Commenting on Paquetá’s homecoming, Flamengo president Luís Eduardo Baptista explained to the Spanish newspaper “AS” that the midfielder faced a significant personal challenge. “It was important for him to consider staying in his country, in a place where he feels comfortable practicing his profession,” Baptista stated. He emphasized that the opportunity allowed the club to bring Paquetá back to his city, his native country, and the academy where he was developed.
Baptista further elaborated, noting that Lucas Paquetá, a native of Rio de Janeiro and a lifelong Flamengo supporter, had other options. “Paquetá, if he had wanted, could have stayed in Europe. He received offers from other countries and could have played in Europe,” the president revealed, expressing his conviction that the player could have earned more money by remaining on the continent. However, the allure of family, the atmosphere of Brazil, and the passion of Flamengo‘s fans were decisive factors in his decision.
Addressing the situation of Vinícius Júnior, Baptista acknowledged the personal connection between the two players, having shared the pitch at Flamengo for approximately six months around 2016 or 2017, and even sharing the same agency. “They have an excellent personal relationship. They are friends,” he confirmed.
Nevertheless, the club president drew a clear and definitive line, highlighting a profound disparity in their current circumstances. “There is a vast difference between Lucas Paquetá’s situation at this stage of his life and Vinícius Júnior’s situation,” Baptista asserted. He pointed out that while Paquetá has a family waiting for him at home every day, the same cannot be said for Vinícius. “They are two different situations. Vinícius is not an option for Flamengo.”
Baptista left no room for ambiguity regarding the financial impracticality of such a move, concluding firmly: “I am sure that if a transfer for Vinícius Júnior were to happen, it would cost a salary far higher than what we consider for Paquetá. This possibility is not on the table. Flamengo cannot do that now.”