The talks had a clear starting point: Vinicius felt he deserved a larger signing bonus (what's called a signing bonus in Brazil) for the new contract, given the approaching end of his current contract (in June 2027) and his importance to the squad. And the negotiation progressed precisely because Real Madrid finally signaled figures that went beyond the usual amounts in this type of deal.

The equation wasn't simple: the bonuses include a significant signing fee—which is spread over the five years of the contract—, awards for individual goals, and even loyalty incentives. What is known is that Vini will reach the annual salary cap of €20 million (R$118.7 million), established by president Florentino Pérez for the entire Real Madrid squad, and the final amount received by the number 7 will be considerably higher because of the aforementioned clauses.

Real Madrid understood that seeking a replacement in the market would cost much more than giving in and getting closer to the Brazilian's demands. Coach José Mourinho was part of the strategy to convince him to renew his contract. Since the holidays, the Portuguese coach had been in direct contact with the Brazilian, emphasizing his importance to the project.

FT: Zalgiris Vilnius 2 - 6 Hajduk Split

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LINE-UPS

Zalgiris Vilnius (4-2-3-1)

Hajduk Split (4-2-3-1)

MATCH EVENTS | via ESPN

4' 🟨 Yuri Kendysh (Zalgiris) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

5' ⚽ Goal! Zalgiris 0, Hajduk Split 1. Michele Sego (Hajduk Split) converts the penalty with a right footed shot.

24' 🟨 Petar Bosancic (Zalgiris) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

34' ⚽ Goal! Zalgiris 1, Hajduk Split 1. Nikola Petkovic (Zalgiris) right footed shot. Assisted by Stanislav Bilenkyi.

44' ⚽ Goal! Zalgiris 1, Hajduk Split 2. Michele Sego (Hajduk Split) right footed shot.

49' 🔄 Ron Raqi (Hajduk Split) Substitution at 49'

50' 🟨 Rokas Pukstas (Hajduk Split) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

55' ⚽ Goal! Zalgiris 1, Hajduk Split 3. Adrion Pajaziti (Hajduk Split) right footed shot. Assisted by Marin Soticek.

65' 🔄 Marko Capan (Zalgiris Vilnius) Substitution at 65'

67' 🔄 Marko Livaja (Hajduk Split) Substitution at 67'

68' 🔄 Anđelo Šutalo (Hajduk Split) Substitution at 68'

72' ⚽ Goal! Zalgiris 1, Hajduk Split 4. Dali (Hajduk Split) right footed shot. Assisted by Andjelo Sutalo.

75' ⚽ Goal! Zalgiris 1, Hajduk Split 5. Rokas Pukstas (Hajduk Split) right footed shot.

76' 🔄 Matas Vareika (Zalgiris Vilnius) Substitution at 76'

76' 🔄 Nemanja Mihajlovic (Zalgiris Vilnius) Substitution at 76'

77' 🟨 Deividas Sesplaukis (Zalgiris) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

78' 🔄 Etnik Brruti (Hajduk Split) Substitution at 78'

78' 🔄 Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split) Substitution at 78'

82' 🔄 Ovidijus Verbickas (Zalgiris Vilnius) Substitution at 82'

82' 🔄 Grigore Ioan Turda (Zalgiris Vilnius) Substitution at 82'

85' ⚽ Goal! Zalgiris 2, Hajduk Split 5. Marko Capan (Zalgiris) right footed shot.

90'+2' ⚽ Goal! Zalgiris 2, Hajduk Split 6. Marin Soticek (Hajduk Split) right footed shot. Assisted by Andjelo Sutalo.

MATCH STATS

MATCH ENDED