Flamengo wants Vinícius Jr back: the Brazilian club would wait for the winger to run down his contract at Real Madrid

Flamengo has once again placed a long-standing desire back on the public agenda. During the official presentation of Lucas Paquetá, the club’s Sporting Director, José Boto, dropped a comment that blurred the line between a joke and a serious declaration of intent. With a grin that sent the "Rubro-Negro" fanbase into a frenzy, Boto hinted at the possibility of dreaming about a return for Vinícius Júnior, the crown jewel of Flamengo's academy and the current face of Real Madrid.

While the comment was delivered with a laugh, the subtext did not go unnoticed by the international press. The discourse was strategically aimed at Paquetá’s inner circle—who happen to share the same representative as Vinícius. It functioned as a "public education of desire," a way for the club to signal that they are always watching.

Days later, Boto shifted to a more serious tone, making it clear that any attempt to repatriate the superstar winger depends almost exclusively on the player’s own will. "The doors will always be open for someone like him, but these types of operations only happen when the player truly wants to come home," Boto explained. He pointed to Paquetá’s return as a blueprint: the midfielder reportedly pushed for the move despite having massive offers from the Premier League.

Despite the romantic narrative, the cold, hard facts of the market tell a different story. Flamengo recently shattered South American transfer records to sign Paquetá for €42 million. This historic investment has effectively drained the club's "war chest" for the current window.

As reported by Boto himself, Flamengo has approximately €10 million remaining in its budget for the rest of the Brazilian window—a figure that is essentially pocket change when discussing a player of Vinícius's caliber. In the current 2026 market, Vinícius remains one of the most valuable assets on the planet, making a transfer fee or even a loan deal financially unfeasible for the "Mengão" at this stage.

The bond between the two stars is deep. They shared the pitch at Flamengo in 2017 and 2018, when a 16-year-old Vinícius was just starting to show the world his magic before his move to Spain. Together, they led Flamengo to the Copa Sudamericana final and have since become a legendary duo for the Brazilian National Team, playing side-by-side in the 2022 World Cup and multiple Copa América campaigns.

Vinícius has also navigated his own chapters of uncertainty in Europe. During parts of the last season, his relationship with Xabi Alonso—the former Real Madrid manager—was reportedly strained, leading his camp to halt all contract negotiations until after the 2026 World Cup.

With the coaching change providing some breathing room, the focus has shifted back to the numbers. Vinícius currently earns €17 million net per season, and Real Madrid has reportedly put an improved offer of €20 million on the table. While his representatives believe there is more room for growth through bonuses and "Galáctico" style image rights, Vinícius himself has stayed calm. In his most recent public appearance, he reaffirmed his commitment to the "Merengue" project, dismissing rumors of internal conflict.

For now, the name of Vinícius Júnior lives in that ambiguous territory where Flamengo’s romantic hopes collide with the reality of global football. He remains a Madridista, but in Rio de Janeiro, the "O Mais Querido" fans will keep the porch light on, waiting for the day their prodigal son decides he’s won enough in Europe.