Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
It is no secret that Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. has not looked like himself ever since last year’s Ballon d’Or controversy.
Despite publicly claiming “they are not prepared for me,” the Brazilian forward could not meet expectations during the 2024/25 season.
Although he had a steady start, things started to change as the season progressed. Towards the end of the campaign, his impact faded, and he ended the season with just two goals in his last 10 matches.
This sudden dip in form has not gone unnoticed, as according to Transfermarkt, Vinicius has lost €30 million in market value.
Just a few years ago, he was the most valuable player in the world. Back in 2022, his value climbed from €50 million to a staggering €200 million.
But now, it is down to €170 million. To make things worse, Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has overtaken him as the most valuable player in football.
Real Madrid’s squad value drops
Vinicius Jr. has seen a massive drop in his market value. (Credit: Transfermarkt)
Vinicius is not the only one who has seen a drop. In fact, he is the La Liga player who has lost the most market value since December. His decline mirrors the team’s struggles throughout the campaign, which ended without a major trophy.
Interestingly, while most of the squad’s value dropped, a few players did see an increase.
Kylian Mbappe, who joined last summer, was one of the few to gain value. Raul Asensio and Fran Garcia also saw slight improvements. But overall, Real Madrid’s squad took a major hit.
According to the latest update from Transfermarkt, the club’s total squad value dropped by around €142.3 million since the start of the season.
It is a clear reflection of a season where expectations were not met, and performances failed to impress.
As the next campaign approaches, the pressure will be certainly on Vinicius and others to bounce back and prove their worth.
Step up or face the reality – Real Madrid midfield duo walking fine line as pressure mounts
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
The 2025/26 season will be a make-or-break campaign for several players at Real Madrid, but none more so than Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga.
Both young stars are under growing pressure to prove they belong in a club that demands consistency, maturity, and world-class performance every week.
Real Madrid are no stranger to competition, and for young players, the path to regular minutes is anything but easy. Guler, now 20, arrived in Madrid with the reputation of being one of football’s brightest talents.
Though he made a few promising appearances in his debut season, the Turkish international failed to build on that momentum.
Injuries and inconsistent performances meant that he faded into the background for most of the campaign under Carlo Ancelotti.
Glimpse of promise
Arda Guler needs to prove his worth. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Yet, his end-of-season form gave a glimmer of hope. Guler showed flashes of brilliance, reminding the club and fans why he was signed in the first place. But he still lacks a clear position.
Whether as an attacking midfielder or winger, he needs to define his role. New manager Xabi Alonso, who has always appreciated Guler’s technical skill, could be crucial in helping him mature and adapt.
Still, competition will be fierce. Not only will he be battling with experienced names, but also with young talents like Endrick and Franco Mastantuono, who is already drawing serious attention before even playing a match for the first team.
Camavinga needs to reclaim his status
For Camavinga, the situation is different but equally pressing. At 22, he enters his fifth season at the Bernabeu, an age and timeline by which many expected him to be an automatic starter.
Camavinga will have to work on his consistency. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Instead, his progress seems to have stalled. Despite showing flashes of excellence, he has struggled to maintain consistency.
Frequent injuries and mental lapses have made his position uncertain. One moment, he can dominate a midfield, and the next, make costly mistakes that affect the team’s balance.
As a result, his market value has dropped drastically. Transfermarkt now lists him at €60M, a sharp decline from his previous €100M valuation.
This is a warning sign. Camavinga must find the regularity and discipline that made him such a promising star when he first arrived.