Bombshell! Florentino Pérez rewards Vinícius Júnior after the draw in Elche, confirmed

Real Madrid showed one of their dullest versions of the season last night at Martínez Valero. Xabi Alonso's team suffered from an obvious lack of intensity, positioning problems, and too much individualism on the ball. Meanwhile, Éder Sarabia's Elche took control of the match through passing, composure, and a great reading of space that allowed them to shine.

The final 2-2 score was a result that was far too generous for the white team. Elche found constant advantages between the lines, forced Real Madrid to retreat, and only the referee's complicity prevented the home team from taking the win. From the bench, Xabi Alonso spent much of the match correcting movements that his players failed to execute.

Vinícius Júnior, protagonist once again

In this context, Vinícius Júnior once again took center stage. The Brazilian started the match on the bench, as part of a rotation policy that Xabi considered appropriate against an opponent who, in theory, was inferior. But the gamble backfired: Real Madrid lost spark up front and couldn't find depth or a constant threat in behind.

Vinícius Júnior came onto the field in the second half, with the team already trailing and Real Madrid in need of a morale boost. He tried with his usual runs, some dribbles, and changes of pace, but he couldn't break the deadlock: his contribution was null. He made rushed decisions at the edge of the box and barely connected with Mbappé or Bellingham in dangerous areas.

With this context, many could think that Vinícius Júnior's future at Real Madrid is becoming complicated. The Brazilian's contract ends in 2027 and rumors about a move to the Premier League or even Arabia had been circulating for months. However, internally the club has always kept a very different narrative.

Florentino Pérez makes a decision on Vinícius Júnior

For Florentino Pérez, Vinícius Júnior remains a strategic piece of the project. He considers him one of the team's great stars, both for his footballing potential and for his commercial and media impact worldwide. The president understands that, on dull nights like the one in Elche, that's when you have to reaffirm trust in the players expected to make a difference.

That's why, and according to reports, Real Madrid has already made a firm decision. The newspaper AS made it clear: Real Madrid has reached a full agreement to extend the contract of Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior. It seems his new contract will last much longer than his current deal, which expires in 2027.

This move is seen within the club as both a reward and a direct message to the locker room. Florentino Pérez wants to make it clear that he keeps his bet on Vinícius Júnior as the main reference of the project. In a Real Madrid with Mbappé, Bellingham, and company, renewing Vini means securing a core of world-class stars.

Vinícius Júnior celebrates his contract renewal

From a sporting perspective, the renewal also forces the footballer himself to take a step forward. With a longer and improved deal, the demands will be even greater, especially in tough away matches like the one in Elche. Xabi Alonso needs Vinícius to be decisive in attack, but also more supportive in pressing and defensive tracking back.

The coaching staff know that, if he manages to adjust his decision-making and improve his tactical reading, the Brazilian can once again be one of the most dominant wingers on the planet. He has speed, dribbling, and a competitive character, but he must fine-tune when to take on his man, when to release the ball, and when to help the full-back. That will be the main challenge at Valdebebas over the coming months.

Within the club, the "bomb" of the renewal is experienced with a mix of relief and responsibility. Relief because it closes the door, at least in the short term, to a transfer that would have been traumatic for much of the Madridist fanbase. Responsibility because, from now on, every performance by Vinícius Júnior will be analyzed through the lens of a player who has been rewarded and supported at the highest level.

The draw in Elche has set off the alarm over the team's play, but Florentino Pérez's move changes the focus. The president is making a strong bet on Vinícius Júnior, assuming he will be a pillar of Real Madrid's immediate future. Now it's up to the Brazilian to prove on the field, week after week, why the club has decided to reward him even during one of the most inconsistent phases of his career.