A former Real Madrid star believes Vinicius Junior could be struggling internally
Vinicius Junior holds onto his shirt
Vinicius Junior's future could become clear soon(Image: Diego Souto/Getty Images)
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Vinicius Junior hasn't recovered since missing out on the Ballon d'Or, according to an ex-Real Madrid star.
That's the thinking of former Spain defender Rafael Alkorta, who believes "something is broke" inside the Brazilian and has been since Rodri claimed the award in 2024. Vinicius' future seriously came into question late last month after news emerged that Arsenal were considering signing him if a new deal with Madrid couldn't be agreed.
The 26-year-old reportedly welcomed a move away from Spain, increasing the hope of the Premier League champions that they could secure the biggest transfer in their recent history. However, that hope appears to have been shut down, as football.london understands the winger is likely to sign a contract extension with Madrid.
The La Liga giants have improved their contract offer to the forward, with the club and player locked in negotiations. In the event of his future remaining with the 15-time Champions League champions, Alkorta said Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has the considerable task of fixing the chemistry between Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe.
Speaking on El Larguero on Cadena SER, the Spaniard also entrusted Mourinho with returning the Brazilian to his pre-2024 form. Alkorta said: "I suppose he'll do the same with Mbappe, because obviously, as we've already said, at the elite level you can't play with one less player, much less two.
"So, how the team performs this year will depend somewhat on that. But I still think it's a total ego issue. When he didn't win the Ballon d'Or, which I think he very much deserved, as Rodrigo also did, I think something broke there.
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Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid speaks to Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica, after a clash with Gianluca Prestianni during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid C.F. at Estadio do SL Benfica on February 17, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal.
Jose Mourinho has reportedly played a key role in wanting to keep the Brazilian(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
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"Something broke there, and it hasn't been the same since." Mourinho - who marked his return to Madrid earlier this summer - has reportedly played a key role in the efforts to keep Vinicius at the club.
Discussing the Portuguese manager's influence on the situation, Alkorta added: "I think if he stays it's because Mourinho has spoken with him and will demand what his predecessors demanded but failed to deliver.
"And I'm sure Mourinho will have made things very clear to him. Because I understand that Mourinho is a very experienced man who knows how to manage players well, so hopefully Vinicius understands this and hopefully he'll stay at Real Madrid."
According to Cadena SER, Madrid are prepared to pay Vinicius £20.5million (€24m) yearly in a deal that would extend his deal to 2031. Despite the reported figure being far from top earner Mbappe's annual salary of £25m (€30m), an agreement between the two parties seems to be growing closer.
Missing out on the 26-year-old could lead Mikel Arteta to re-enter the transfer market for a marquee left-winger. Having already been beaten to the signing of Morgan Rogers by Chelsea, it remains to be seen whether the Gunners would pivot to previous target Bradley Barcola, who is in negotiations over a possible move to Liverpool.