Vinicius Jnr was seen in Dubai only hours after being jeered by Real Madrid supporters.
The Brazilian forward has experienced an up-and-down campaign at the Bernabeu, with ongoing questions surrounding his future and his relationship with head coach Xabi Alonso.
Once considered untouchable at the club, Vinicius has not hit the same heights this season, managing five goals and eight assists from 24 appearances across all competitions.
With no new contract agreed, the 25-year-old was loudly whistled by sections of the home crowd when he was substituted late in Real’s 2-0 win over Sevilla on Saturday night. He walked off without acknowledging the fans.
The following morning, Vinicius posted on Instagram from Dubai, where he is understood to be taking part in activities linked to Real Madrid’s partnership with Visit Dubai. His post showed what appeared to be a private jet under clear skies, accompanied by a caption tagging the tourism organisation.
According to Marca, Vinicius travelled to the UAE to create promotional content for Visit Dubai’s social media platforms, which highlight the city’s key attractions. Several of his teammates, including Jude Bellingham, have taken part in similar trips in the past.
Still, the timing of the visit attracted attention given the reaction he received from fans and his uneven performance against Sevilla. That scrutiny was heightened by a cryptic change on his Instagram profile after the match, where he swapped his Real Madrid profile picture for one in a Brazil shirt and added three dots to his bio.
Real Madrid do not play again until January 4, when they face Real Betis in LaLiga, allowing time for tensions to ease, though this marks another flashpoint in Vinicius’ season.
Last month, reports emerged claiming Vinicius had informed the club he does not plan to extend his contract due to ongoing issues with Alonso. His current deal runs until the summer of 2027.
Negotiations, which began in January, stalled after both sides failed to reach an agreement on financial terms and his long-term role under the current manager. Matters worsened during Real’s 2-1 Clasico win over Barcelona in October, when Vinicius reacted angrily to being substituted, leaving the pitch without acknowledging Alonso. He later apologised and met with club president Florentino Perez, though Alonso was not mentioned during that apology.
During that meeting, Vinicius reportedly made it clear he did not feel renewing his contract was the right move under the current circumstances. Sources close to the player say that stance has not changed, with tensions with Alonso continuing to influence his thinking.
Vinicius currently earns around €18 million net per year under the contract he signed in 2022, which includes a €1bn release clause. Real are said to have offered an extension worth roughly €20m net annually, but his representatives pushed for a package closer to €30m per year, including bonuses and a renewal fee.
Those demands were rejected, and talks have since stalled without any meaningful progress.
