The bond between Vinicius Jr. and Flamengo was never a romantic memory. It was, and still is, a latent relationship, ready to be activated when the context allows. And this time, the Rio de Janeiro club decided to stop hinting and move into the realm of direct pressure. The chosen setting was no coincidence. At the presentation of Lucas Paqueta, a close friend of Vinicius and a symbol of the Rubro-Negro youth academy, the club's sporting director Jose Boto launched a simple but explosive phrase: "The door is always open for him". And he went even further: "His contract is close to ending, we wouldn't have to pay anything to Real Madrid".It wasn't nostalgia. It was strategy. Vinícius Júnior serves as the NFL's messenger for its 2026 return to the Santiago Bernabéu Vinicius' contract is coming to an end, so it wouldn't cost us anything to bring him in José Boto The contract as a weapon and the message to Valdebebas Vinicius is tied to Real Madrid until June 2027, but the renewal has not yet been finalised. In elite football, when a star enters the last two years of their contract without signing, the power begins to shift. In Valdebebas they know it. That is why the club's position is firm: renew before Vinicius enters his last year. Florentino Perez does not contemplate, under any scenario, losing one of the pillars of the project for free. The problem is that negotiations are bogged down and the economic factor has become a difficult wall to overcome. Meanwhile, each external statement adds pressure. Flamengo plays the card that no one else has Saudi Arabia offers money. The Premier League offers competitiveness. Flamengo offers something different: identity. The Brazilian club does not compete in figures, it competes in emotions. In belonging. In the idea of returning as an absolute idol and not as a promise. And that narrative, at certain times in a career, weighs more than many believe. The doors of the club will always be open to him, as long as he wants them to be José Boto Jose Boto was clear: the move would only be possible if the player wants it. Translated: Flamengo are not trying to seduce Real Madrid, they are trying to seduce Vinicius A noise that comes at the worst possible time for Real Madrid The timing is no coincidence. Real Madrid is going through a process of sporting and salary reconfiguration, and Vinicius is one of the players demanding a contract in line with his global status. Every month without an agreement fuels speculation and strengthens the position of the player's entourage. Flamengo's message serves as a reminder that time is not on Real Madrid's side. Key points of Vinicius' situation Vinicius is under contract with Real Madrid until June 2027 The renewal has not yet been completed due to economic differences Flamengo drop option of a return without transfer Saudi Arabia and the Premier League remain attentive to the case The final decision will rest solely with the player Vinicius to Flamengo is no longer a rumor, it's a warning Flamengo is not dreaming. It is marking its territory. And Vinicius, for the first time since he arrived in Europe, faces a decision that is not measured only in titles or money, but in control of his own destiny.The clock is already ticking. And Real Madrid knows it.
