Flamengo Wants to Send Vinicius Junior Back, but the Budget Hasn't Come in Yet

JAKARTA - Flamengo president Luiz Eduardo Baptista revealed that his party does not have the financial ability to persuade Vinicius Junior to return to the club.

The Brazilian club made headlines when it signed former teammate Lucas Paqueta in January 2026 for a fee of 42 million euros, making it the most expensive transfer in the history of North and South American football.

However, bringing back Vinicius, who left Flamengo for Real Madrid in 2018 for a reported fee of 45 million euros, is a different matter.

"Vini is not a possibility for Flamengo. I am sure that if there is a transfer involving Vinicius Junior, it will be a transfer with salary, based on current values. Much higher than what we are considering for Paqueta."

"The possibility is zero. He is not yet within the reach of Flamengo. Not yet. Flamengo can't," Baptista told Diario AS.

Vinicius, 25, last month reiterated his desire to continue playing at Real Madrid after 2027, when his contract expires.

However, negotiations to extend his contract have currently stalled.

Asked if this gave Flamengo any glimmer of hope that the Brazilian striker could return to the club, Baptista appeared enthusiastic.

"Vinicius will always be welcome. When he came to Brazil, we liked Vini. However, Vinicius wants to stay in Europe."

"Paqueta and Vinicius are at different points in their lives. Paqueta has someone waiting for him at home every day (in Brazil), he has a family."

"Vinicius has no one waiting for him at home (because he is with his family in Madrid)," Baptista said.