Former Real Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has floated the idea of the club selling Vinicius Jr this summer, insisting it wouldn’t “be a big deal”.
The Brazil winger has had an underwhelming season, with his form dipping after it was announced he had missed out to Manchester City midfielder Rodri in the battle to land the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Vinicius Jr has still contributed 21 goals and 11 assists in 51 games but his overall contribution is down on last year when he played a significant role in Madrid winning the Liga and Champions League double.
There have also been suggestions the 24-year-old, who will miss tomorrow night’s home game with Real Mallorca, is unhappy at losing the mantle of the team’s star man following the arrival of striker Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain.
Vinicius Jr. medical report.
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Time to consider Vini’s future…
Mijatovic told El Larguero: “Maybe it’s time to consider what to do with Vinicius. If he leaves this summer, it’s not a big deal.
“I don’t know Vinicius personally, but I’m told he’s an excellent guy and a great person. But you know how it is at Real Madrid. If you perform and do everything right, you stay, and if not, they sell you, let you go, or whatever…
“In the last 10 years at Real Madrid, over which time they have had a lot of success, many players who have made a difference at this club have left.”
Winger seems likely to stay
Reports suggest Vinicius Jr will sign a new three-year deal at the end of the season after rejecting the opportunity for a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia but Mijatovic believes that should come with a warning.
“Proposing a renewal to a player can also be interpreted as a ‘I renew you, but I would have nothing against selling you’,” he added, before outlining his uneasiness with the player’s attitude.
Mijatovic, who scored the winner as Madrid beat Juventus in the 1998 Champions League final, said: “Has Vinicius made more enemies than a footballer deserves, and not just outside of Real Madrid?
“Yes. I understand that fans of opposing teams see you as a player who makes a difference and hate you.
“But I also think that Vinicius has provoked this opinion against him, and a little outside of football. And not just among opposing fans, there are quite a few Real Madrid fans who think ‘what’s wrong with this kid?’ And that needs to be said, it shouldn’t be hidden. Why can’t you say something like that?”
Alonso arrival may change things for Vinicius Jr
Even though Mijatovic would have no qualms with selling Vinicius Jr, it seems unthinkable, especially with new coach Xabi Alonso offering every player a clean slate when he succeeds Carlo Ancelotti.
There are also rumours Vinicius Jr’s fellow Brazilian Rodrygo wants out of Madrid having become disillusioned at the Bernabeu.
