Real Madrid has made its decision on who will lead the club’s renewal — at least on the pitch. After a trophyless season, the chosen player to command the dressing room is not Kylian Mbappé but Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
What happened?
Vinícius Júnior is expected to be named the club’s main captain. The 25-year-old forward is set to take on a leadership role in the team’s new project, as per the report. Currently, he serves as the fourth captain, behind Dani Carvajal, Federico Valverde, and Thibaut Courtois.
Internally, the Brazilian is viewed as a unifying figure for the squad. Mundo Deportivo notes that occasional on-field discussions with teammates are not a concern for the Madrid hierarchy.
Vinícius maintains a good relationship with Mbappé. However, it remains to be seen how the French star will react to the news. The Catalan newspaper — often more critical of Real Madrid and other capital clubs — highlights that the former PSG player is treated as untouchable, and the possibility of tension between the two is not ruled out.
Real Madrid is betting heavily on Vinícius for the renewal. His current contract runs until June 2027, and the club aims to finalize a new deal as soon as possible. According to the publication, this confidence from the board explains why he has been chosen as the leader.
The hierarchy remains unchanged regardless of whether José Mourinho takes over. The Real Madrid brass sees Vinícius as the solution to the dressing-room issues that derailed the team this season. This decision stands independently of who will be appointed as head coach for the next campaign.