Vinicius to stay as Guler keeps Madrid in La Liga hunt

Real Madrid are on the brink of securing Vinicius Junior’s long-term future, even as they continue to chase Barcelona in a tense La Liga title race.

The Brazilian winger is expected to sign a new three-year contract extension until 2030 before the end of the season, according to Marca. His current deal runs until June 2027, but with Saudi Arabian clubs offering lucrative alternatives, Los Blancos are eager to lock down one of their biggest stars.

Vinicius, 24, has repeatedly stressed his commitment to Real and remains a central figure in the club’s plans, having flourished in recent seasons. He played a pivotal role in last year’s Champions League and La Liga triumphs, and despite missing out on the Ballon d’Or to Manchester City’s Rodri, his performances have underlined his elite status.

This season, he has already notched 20 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, forming a dynamic front three with Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo. However, his influence waned in Europe as Real were knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals by Arsenal.

Madrid’s domestic ambitions remain alive thanks to a gritty 1-0 win at Getafe on Wednesday. Arda Guler scored the only goal with a stunning strike from outside the area, reducing the gap to La Liga leaders Barcelona to just four points.

The 18-year-old Turkish midfielder stepped up in a match that saw Jude Bellingham rested and Vinicius nearly add to the scoreline with a clever assist for Endrick, whose effort was cleared off the line.

Thibaut Courtois produced several key saves, including a stoppage-time stop to deny Getafe substitute Alvaro Rodriguez, on loan from Madrid, as Carlo Ancelotti’s men clung on for the win.

The result sets the stage for a high-stakes Clasico this Saturday, as Real face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final in Seville. Mbappe is expected to return from injury for the clash, while Endrick could feature again after making his first league start in the Getafe fixture.

Veteran midfielder Luka Modric is also poised to extend his stay by a year following another consistent campaign, even as uncertainty looms over Ancelotti’s future. The Italian is widely tipped to leave in the summer, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso emerging as the front-runner to take charge.

With multiple fronts still in play and key players showing their worth, Real Madrid are determined to end the season with silverware — and send a strong signal that their stars, particularly Vinicius, are here to stay.