India, Nov. 25 -- Real Madrid's carefully crafted post-Benzema project has been jolted by a bombshell from inside their own dressing room. According to a report from The Athletic, Vinicius Junior has told President Florentino Perez that he does not want to renew his contract under the current circumstances - a clear reference to his deteriorating relationship with manager Xabi Alonso.

The conversation reportedly took place in a private meeting late last month, with Vinicius making it clear that, as things stand with Alonso, a contract extension does not make sense. His current deal runs until 2027 and includes a €1 billion release clause, but renewal talks that had been expected to be a formality are now described as stalled.

The ...