Kylian Mbappé has been at Real Madrid for two seasons and the problem is exactly the same as it was at the start: he and Vini Jr simply don’t function well together. This isn’t about creating controversy or forcing a narrative, it’s just looking at reality. Two years have passed and nothing has changed.
Two seasons without major titles, and there’s no point bringing up the Super Cup, because for Real Madrid that’s nowhere near enough. It’s unacceptable. And the most worrying part is that different ideas have already been tried and nothing works. Carlo Ancelotti, more focused on man-management, Xabi Alonso, much more tactical, and even Álvaro Arbeloa, with a looser approach, letting the stars decide, and still nothing works. The problem clearly isn’t just the coach.
Vini Jr’s best period came when Mbappé was injured. Mbappé’s best period came when Vini Jr wasn’t playing. That says everything. A decision has to be made, because if nothing changes, everything stays the same.
And yes, it’s a difficult decision, because we’re talking about two players who have the quality to be top 5 in the world every season. But there’s an important point here: at Real Madrid, the past doesn’t count the way it might at other clubs. If it did, Vini Jr would have a clear advantage, he decided Champions League finals and was key in major titles. But Real Madrid doesn’t live off that. It lives off the present and the future, and that’s exactly what keeps the club at the top: there’s no room for sentiment when performance doesn’t match.
Looking at the present, I don’t think both can continue together. One of them has to go.
And in my opinion, even though I personally prefer him as a player, Vini Jr is the one who should leave. The contract situation also matters and, like it or not, Mbappé is the player with the greatest capacity to be the technical leader of this team right now. He’s entering his prime and that has to count.
As for Vini Jr’s future, it’s hard to predict. There have been links to Saudi Arabia, like Al Ahli, but there’s a big difference between signing players like João Félix or Ivan Toney and signing someone like him. It’s not that simple.
If Mbappé stays, Real Madrid also need to adjust the squad. They need a proper number 9, a true box striker. There were moments where it almost seemed to work with Gonzalo García, but he doesn’t have the level to be a long-term solution. Endrick should also return, but he’s not that type of player either, he has more traits of playing wide and doesn’t physically fit that reference striker profile.
Conclusion
Between Vini Jr and Mbappé, for me, Vini Jr is the one who has to go. Two seasons without titles and it’s already clear this isn’t about the coach. Something has to change and, looking at the present and the future, Mbappé seems better suited to be the sole leader of this attack and the main face of the project.