The Brazilian's contract negotiations have stalled, and speculation over a possible exit this summer continues to swirl around Valdebebas, but the forward broke his silence with an interview about his first impressions of being back and what Jose Mourinho has asked of him.
Vinicius went straight into a double training session on his first day back, having his first conversation with the Portuguese coach, meeting new team-mates and returning to the group dynamic following the World Cup. The physical effort involved did not stop him enjoying his return to the club.
"It's gone very well, getting to know the new coach and the new players and training very hard," he said at the Ciudad Real Madrid.
He then revealed what Mourinho had told him in their first conversation, and what the coach expects from him if he ends up staying.
"He wants me to be as I've always been: happy, cheerful and playing my football," Vinicius said, before stressing a message aimed at easing tension around fitness. "We have to prepare physically so that during the season we have fewer injuries and can count on everyone."
Asked about the rhythm of pre-season work, he added: "Yesterday was a double session, today one session. That's how it goes. Today we did a bit of gym work and short work to load the legs more. It was a good training session and we all came out very tired, but now it's time to rest for tomorrow. Pre-season is like that and we have to be prepared."
Talks between Real Madrid director general Jose Angel Sanchez and Vinicius's agency continue in search of an agreement on financial terms. The forward is asking for €25m, while Real Madrid are unwilling to go beyond €20m and are refusing to add any signing bonus for renewing. Arsenal are circling, but Vinicius's latest comments offer Real Madrid some reassurance, since they could be read as a sign he remains willing to find an agreement that extends his stay at the club.
Intense days are expected in the negotiations, with the decision ultimately in Vinicius's hands: stay in white, or seek a project elsewhere.
Vinicius's return to Valdebebas came alongside those of Bernardo Silva and Brahim Diaz, both of whom also reported back for pre-season training this week after their own summer breaks, giving Mourinho an increasingly complete squad to work with as he builds towards the new campaign.
The Brazilian's current contract runs until the summer of 2027, meaning the club is keen to resolve his situation well before he would be entitled to negotiate freely with clubs outside Spain from January.
Real Madrid consider Vinicius a fundamental piece of their sporting project, and the working relationship between player and club is understood to remain good despite the financial gap, but the entry into the final stretch of his contract has inevitably sharpened interest from elsewhere in Europe, with the Brazilian's response over the coming days likely to shape how the rest of the transfer window plays out for both parties.