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Real Madrid News Real Madrid superstar’s summer contract renewal saga compared to a romantic movie: ‘We know how the movie will end’ Vinicius Junior’s contract renewal with Real Madrid was one of the club’s biggest stories of the summer. Months of uncertainty eventually ended in a long-term agreement that keeps the Brazilian at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2032. At one point, it looked like the prospect of the Brazilian leaving the Santiago Bernabeu this summer was a realistic possibility. However, as quoted by MARCA, Thiago Freitas, operations director at Roc Nation, has compared the entire saga to a romantic film with a happy ending. Vinicius renewal was far from straightforward Freitas explained that the negotiations were handled by Roc Nation executive Federico Pena and admitted that reaching the final agreement required patience from everyone involved. “This operation between Vini and Real Madrid was like a trilogy of romance movies,” Freitas said. “Throughout the movies there are conflicts, there are issues, there are some obstacles. But we all know how the movie will end: with a big kiss and everyone happy,” he added. There was plenty of speculation around Vinicius while negotiations continued, particularly as the process stretched across the summer. However, Freitas made it clear that the Brazilian’s preference was always to continue at Real Madrid rather than look for an exit. “You only have to remember the history of all the players who have passed through Madrid in the last 20 or 30 years. None of them wanted to leave,” he said. That is an important point for Madrid supporters. The difficulty appears to have been reaching an agreement that satisfied both sides, rather than convincing Vinicius that his future belonged at the club. Jose Mourinho now has certainty For Jose Mourinho, the first few weeks were spent in uncertainty over whether Vinicius would be part of his project at the club. The Portuguese tactician has always been a vocal advocate of keeping the Brazilian and was said to have been a driving factor in the contract negotiations. Ultimately, as Freitas put it, everything ended in a big hug and a kiss between Vinicius and Real Madrid. It meant that everyone, except Arsenal were happy. It remains to be seen whether the 26-year-old can now repay the club and Mourinho’s faith in him, and return to his best level this season and beyond. Real Madrid News Three Real Madrid stars return to team training ahead of Inter Milan clash Real Madrid have received a major triple fitness boost ahead of their Champions League meeting with Inter Milan. Training photos showed that Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch and Endrick had all returned to team training under Jose Mourinho. The timing could hardly be better for Mourinho, who was running out of options in midfield for the Champions League game. Madrid are preparing for an important European test after suffering their first defeat of the season against Real Betis. Tchouameni’s return particularly important Tchouameni’s recovery is arguably the biggest development. The French midfielder had been dealing with groin discomfort, with Madrid determined not to take unnecessary risks over his return. Mourinho values his physical presence and ability to provide balance in midfield, qualities that could become particularly useful against Inter. His return to group work does not automatically guarantee a starting place, especially after a period on the sidelines. However, under the circumstances, having the Frenchman available even as a bench option will be extremely valuable. Thiago Pitarch has also returned to training, providing another option in an area where Mourinho has had to manage several absences. Endrick gives Mourinho another attacking option Endrick’s return to group training is also good news. The Brazilian has faced increased competition for opportunities this season, but returning to full training gives him the chance to start rebuilding his place in Mourinho’s plans. Madrid’s defeat to Betis also showed why attacking depth matters. Carlos Espi provided an immediate threat from the bench and had a spectacular equaliser ruled out. Endrick is likely to compete with the Spaniard for a bench role, and he will want to catch up with his team-mate after losing ground. For Mourinho, the priority will be deciding how much each returning player can realistically contribute rather than rushing them straight back into significant minutes. The Inter match is also one that is likely to be played at a high intensity, and throwing returning players in at the deep end may not be wise. Still, getting Tchouameni, Pitarch and Endrick back into team training at the same time is excellent news. It remains to be seen what plans Jose Mourinho has for them and how he uses the players in the coming weeks.