Suck It Saudi: Vinicius Jr Isn't Going Anywhere!

I never thought I would find myself celebrating the fact that one of the best players in world football has decided to stay with Real Madrid. However, when the alternative is a move to the Saudi Pro League, Vinícius Jr. remaining in Madrid is undoubtedly the lesser of two evils.

Let’s be honest—everyone loves to hate Real Madrid. Even as someone who doesn’t follow the club closely, I can’t help but share in that sentiment. But at the end of the day, my love for the game outweighs any personal dislike for a single team. What truly pains me is seeing some of the most talented players in the world choose to leave competitive European football in exchange for astronomical salaries in leagues that few people can or want to watch.

While Vinícius Jr. staying at Madrid is a nightmare for every club in Europe, it is still a far better outcome than watching yet another world-class player disappear from the biggest stages of the sport. One of the things I cherish most about world football is its global nature—the best players, from every corner of the planet, competing at the highest level. I cannot imagine watching a Champions League match knowing that some of the greatest talents are absent, not because of injury or suspension, but because they opted to chase half a billion dollars in a league that barely registers on the global footballing map.

To be clear, I don’t blame the players who take the money. The sums being offered are life-changing, and for many of them, securing financial stability for themselves and their families is an understandable priority. Football careers are short, and the lure of such massive paychecks is hard to resist. However, as a fan of the sport, it sucks to see so many elite players removed from the best competitions simply because of financial incentives. The magic of the Champions League, the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga comes from the fact that the world’s best compete there. When those players leave for leagues with little competitive history or global relevance, the sport loses something special.

So, when I heard that Vinícius Jr. had committed his future to Real Madrid, I was surprisingly relieved. It was a rare moment of joy in an era where football seems increasingly driven by money rather than passion and competition. Hopefully, his decision will set an example for other top players, showing that legacy, competition, and playing at the pinnacle of the sport still matter. Of course, only time will tell whether this is a genuine commitment or simply a strategic PR move.

While Vinícius Jr. staying at Madrid is a nightmare for every club in Europe, it is still a far better outcome than watching yet another world-class player disappear from the biggest stages of the sport. One of the things I cherish most about world football is its global nature—the best players, from every corner of the planet, competing at the highest level. I cannot imagine watching a Champions League match knowing that some of the greatest talents are absent, not because of injury or suspension, but because they opted to chase half a billion dollars in a league that barely registers on the global footballing map.

To be clear, I don’t blame the players who take the money. The sums being offered are life-changing, and for many of them, securing financial stability for themselves and their families is an understandable priority. Football careers are short, and the lure of such massive paychecks is hard to resist. However, as a fan of the sport, it sucks to see so many elite players removed from the best competitions simply because of financial incentives. The magic of the Champions League, the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga comes from the fact that the world’s best compete there. When those players leave for leagues with little competitive history or global relevance, the sport loses something special.

So, when I heard that Vinícius Jr. had committed his future to Real Madrid, I was surprisingly relieved. It was a rare moment of joy in an era where football seems increasingly driven by money rather than passion and competition. Hopefully, his decision will set an example for other top players, showing that legacy, competition, and playing at the pinnacle of the sport still matter. Of course, only time will tell whether this is a genuine commitment or simply a strategic PR move.