El Clásico this Sunday places two Brazilian stars on opposite ends of the spotlight. While Vinícius Júnior struggles to rediscover his scoring form at Real Madrid, Raphinha is enjoying one of the best phases of his career as a leader at Barcelona.
The Spanish Super Cup final between Barcelona and Real Madrid, scheduled for Sunday (11) at 8 pm (UK time), will showcase a fascinating duel between two players experiencing very different moments.
Vinícius Jr. Faces Pressure at Real Madrid
Vinícius Júnior has gone 19 matches without scoring, a rare drought that has raised questions about his role and future at Real Madrid. Since the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, the Brazilian winger’s influence has diminished, with the French star becoming the team’s primary attacking reference.
Despite strong backing from club president Florentino Pérez, Vinícius’s long-term future at the Bernabéu is not guaranteed. Contract renewal talks have become complicated, mainly due to salary demands from the player’s camp.
Contract Talks Create Uncertainty Around Vinícius
Vinícius Jr.’s representatives believe the Brazilian deserves a salary comparable to Mbappé, currently Real Madrid’s highest-paid player. This stance has slowed negotiations and created uncertainty behind the scenes.
If an agreement is not reached in the coming months, Real Madrid may be forced to listen to offers, opening the door for a potential blockbuster transfer involving one of the world’s most valuable players.
Raphinha Thrives as Barcelona’s Leader
On the other side of the rivalry, Raphinha is enjoying stability and peak performance at Barcelona. The Brazilian winger has reclaimed his best form and emerged as one of the team’s leaders, sharing the spotlight with Lamine Yamal but often delivering superior numbers.
Although international recognition—such as Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best votes—has yet to fully reflect his impact, internally Raphinha is considered indispensable to Barça’s project.
No Exit in Sight for Raphinha
Unlike Vinícius, Raphinha’s future is settled. He recently renewed his contract with Barcelona, is happy in Catalonia, and has no intention of leaving despite interest from clubs such as Al-Hilal. The club also has no plans to negotiate his departure.
All Eyes on El Clásico
With contrasting narratives surrounding both Brazilians, El Clásico adds another layer of intrigue. Vinícius Jr. will be desperate to silence doubts on the biggest stage, while Raphinha looks to continue leading Barcelona in one of the most anticipated matches of the season.
The Spanish Super Cup final will be broadcast live on ESPN.
