Real Madrid fear losing the Ballon d'Or could tempt Vinicius Junior to move away from the Santiago Bernabeu in the near future.

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• Vinicius lost coveted award to Rodri
• Is expected to hold talks with Madrid over new deal
• Could still leave for Saudi Arabia or other European clubs

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Vinicius being snubbed for the Ballon d'Or came as a shock to everyone, most notably Real Madrid. Los Blancos consider the Brazilian to be the best player in the world and now fear it may complicate any contract negotiations in the near future. The 24-year-old is tied down to the Santiago Bernabeu until 2027 but reports suggest there is a chance he could depart, with Saudi Arabia still interested in the winger alongside Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Vinicius is comfortable in Madrid and has expressed a desire to stay in recent weeks, but the player will have been hoping to use the Ballon d'Or to agree a bumper new wage package for any contract extension. Now that is off the cards, Los Blancos may not be the club willing to pay him the most and the situation is putting both the player and institution on alert with tensions on the rise.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Kaka was the last Brazilian to win the Ballon d'Or. The ex-Madrid and AC Milan midfielder claimed the trophy in 2007. Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho are the other three names from Brazil to have won it.

• WHAT NEXT FOR VINICIUS?

  Vinicius has vowed to show the entire world why he deserved to win the Ballon d'Or. But now, his performances on the pitch may have higher stakes, with other interested parties watching on as well as Real Madrid's president Florentino Perez.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News