Vinicius Junior has signed a new six-year contract at Real Madrid, ending speculation linking the Brazil forward with a move to Arsenal. In a statement confirming the deal on Thursday, the La Liga club called the 26-year-old one of the most important players in one of the most successful periods in our history.The two-time Champions League winners future had been under scrutiny because his previous contract expired in 2027.More to followTable of ContentsVinicius Junior transfer news: What the forward saidVinicius Jr: Real Madrid forward jilts ArsenalVinicius Junior: What Arsenal saidVinicius Jr stats: Best FIFA, La Liga, Champions LeagueReal Madrid schedule: When does Vinicius Juniors season start?Vinicius Junior transfer news: What the forward saidVinicius Junior said on Tuesday that Mourinho had told him his expectations during gruelling training sessions after the forwards return from the World Cup with Brazil.Mourinho met Vinicius Junior for the first time since his reappointment in May for a second tenure at the club.Very well, the 26-year-old replied when Madrids official channel asked how he felt, sitting on a ball and smiling.[Im] getting to know the new manager, the new players and working really hard. He wants me to be just as Ive always been: happy, positive and playing. We all finished completely dead on our feet.Vinicius Jr: Real Madrid forward jilts ArsenalArsenal head coach Mikel Arteta smiled broadly but dodged the question when he was repeatedly asked about Vinicius Junior after his sides friendly win at Girona on Saturday.Mourinho voiced worries over the lack of training time he will have with key senior players including Vinicius Junior after his teams draw with Fiorentina on the same day, saying he would like to have three weeks with him.Madrids enthusiastic coverage of Vinicius Juniors return perhaps emphasised that the 15-time European champions are expecting him to stay.The club posted footage of both of Vinicius Juniors first sessions preparing for the 2026/27 season, titling the second Vini Jr is back! in capital letters.Vinicius Junior: What Arsenal saidArteta said Arsenal are very active, trying to improve and evolve the team. Thats clear, added the Spaniard.We expect to have movements in the next few weeks because we want to get better, like anybody else.You can just see the transfer market and our opponents and what they are doing. We are very ambitious with what we want to do.The margins are very small and if we want to get better, the level is going to increase. We need to increase the competition internally.We need to make sure that we identify the things we dont have in the team to have bigger margins. Thats the way we have to think.We have even more responsibility and ambition than before. We know what is ahead; we know the qualities and capacity we have to compete with any team, but we need to prove that we belong at this level [of champions] now.Vinicius Jr stats: Best FIFA, La Liga, Champions LeagueSigned from Flamengo for a reported fee of around �39.4 million in 2018, Vinicius Juniors individual honours include the 2023/24 Champions League Player of the Season award and the 2024 Best FIFA Mens Player honour.He was the Ballon dOr runner up to Rodri in the same year. Heres a look at the trophies Vinicius Junior has won with Madrid.CompetitionWinnerLa Liga2019/20, 2021/22, 2023/24Copa del Rey2022/23Spanish Super Cup2020, 2022, 2024Champions League2021/22, 2023/24Super Cup2022, 2024Club World Cup2018, 2022Intercontinental Cup2024Real Madrid schedule: When does Vinicius Juniors season start?Madrids competitive season starts away to Espanyol on August 22 (20:30 BST). Arsenal kick off a day earlier at home to Coventry City (20:00). Topics Arsenal F.C. Carlo Ancelotti Jose Mourinho LaLiga Mikel Arteta Premier League Real Madrid CF Vinicius Jr Vinicius Junior Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Newcastle boss Jaissle reveals Guimaraes future decided before he arrived Mitch Fretton 6th August, 2026 Yan Diomande: Real Madrid complete �107m transfer deal for Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Ben Miller 6th August, 2026 BREAKING: Vinicius Junior on verge of signing new Real Madrid contract Mitch Fretton 6th August, 2026 Arsenal receive financial injection after striking new deal with Emirates Jon Fisher 6th August, 2026 BREAKING: Barcelona make move for Rodri in bid to beat Real Madrid to Spain captains signature Jon Fisher 6th August, 2026 Arsenal 1-3 Betis: Report and goals as pundit claims Arteta will be concerned Ben Miller 5th August, 2026
