The Brazilian left for North America with his future unresolved and will need to sit down with Real Madrid's board once the tournament concludes to decide whether to extend beyond 2027.
Journalist Miguel Serrano offered a clear assessment of the club's position on Onda Cero, arguing that a World Cup winner's medal would fundamentally shift the negotiating dynamic.
"If Vinicius wins the World Cup they'll give him whatever he wants," Serrano said. "I can't see Florentino (Perez, president) letting him go after being world champion."
His colleague Edu Pidal struck a more cautious note, suggesting the situation is far from resolved even within the club's own thinking.
"At Madrid they are weighing up all scenarios with Vinicius," Pidal said. "The renewal is stalled, there is uncertainty."
The implication from Pidal's comments is that if Vinicius' economic demands remain unacceptable, Real Madrid could opt to cash in on a player whose World Cup performances will only have enhanced his market value — rather than risk him running down his contract and departing on his own terms.
Brazil have qualified for the knockout rounds with Vinicius as one of the tournament's most dangerous forwards, and his performances are only sharpening the dilemma Madrid face. A player in this kind of form, potentially heading toward a World Cup winners' medal, will command a premium that may test even the club's resources.
For now, the conversation is on hold. Vinicius is focused on the tournament, and Real Madrid will wait until the dust settles before resuming what promises to be one of the summer's most consequential contract negotiations.