Five and a half years after being signed by Real Madrid for 30 million euros, Reinier Jesus, a product of Flamengo, faces a pivotal moment in his career. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder, who has never debuted for the Spanish club’s first team, is out of coach Xabi Alonso’s plans and may leave permanently in the 2025 transfer window. After loan spells at Borussia Dortmund, Girona, Frosinone, and Granada, the player has failed to replicate in Europe the brilliance he showed in Brazil in 2019. Real Madrid’s management is seeking a solution, whether through a sale, another loan, or even contract termination, while Reinier trains separately from the squad, awaiting a new destination. The decision about his future will be crucial to reclaiming the protagonism he has lost.
The young athlete, who emerged as one of Brazil’s greatest prospects, arrived in Spain in January 2020 with high expectations. Real Madrid’s strategy was clear: replicate the success of Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo, other Brazilians who established themselves in the first team. However, factors such as the pandemic and lack of continuity during loans hindered Reinier’s development, leading to a scenario of uncertainty.
- Main challenges in Reinier’s European journey:
- Limited playing time at clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Girona.
- Relegation with Frosinone in the 2022/23 season.
- Modest performance at Granada, with only one goal in 25 games.
- Lack of opportunities in Real Madrid’s first team.
Reinier’s career at Flamengo, where he won the Brazilian Championship and the Libertadores in 2019, contrasted with the promising future awaiting him in Europe. However, the past few years have revealed struggles to adapt to European football, marked by modest numbers and a lack of consistency.
First loan and frustrated expectations
When Reinier joined Borussia Dortmund in 2020, the expectation was that the German club, known for developing young talents, would be the ideal stage for his growth. Over two seasons, he played 39 matches but logged only 741 minutes. His single goal and assist were not enough to secure a prominent role. The lack of regular playing time at Dortmund was the first sign that adapting to European football would be more challenging than anticipated.
The midfielder struggled to establish himself in a competitive squad, where more experienced players were often prioritized. Although his time at Dortmund included winning the German Cup in 2020/21, it did not deliver the expected impact, leaving Reinier in need of new opportunities to regain confidence.
Girona: a return to Spain without shine
In 2022, Reinier returned to Spain to play for Girona in La Liga, in another attempt to showcase his potential. His stint, however, was marked by modest numbers: just 18 games, five starts, two goals, and one assist. The 638 minutes on the pitch reflected his struggle to secure a place in a team fighting to stay in Spain’s top flight.
Despite flashes of quality, such as goals scored against La Liga opponents, Reinier failed to become a key player. His brief time at Girona reinforced the perception that he still needed a more favorable environment to rediscover the form that made him stand out at Flamengo.
Frosinone and relegation in Italy
The 2022/23 season took Reinier to Frosinone, an Italian club in Serie A. Initially, he showed glimpses of his talent, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 23 matches. However, his prominence faded as the season progressed, and the club was relegated to the second division. His 1,076 minutes on the field were not enough to change the outcome, and the Italian experience ended without the desired impact.
The time at Frosinone highlighted Reinier’s difficulty in maintaining consistency throughout a season. The club’s relegation to Serie B further contributed to the perception that he needed a new project to get his career back on track.
Granada: last attempt in Spain’s second division
In the 2023/24 season, Reinier was loaned to Granada, where he played in Spain’s second division. Across 25 games, 15 as a starter, he scored one goal and provided four assists, totaling 1,400 minutes. Despite more playing time than in previous loans, his performance did not convince Granada’s management, which opted not to extend the loan deal.
The stint at Granada was seen as an opportunity for Reinier to reassert himself, but his modest numbers and lack of impact in key moments fueled criticism from the Spanish press, which described the season as another chapter of struggles in Europe.
Xabi Alonso’s planning and Reinier’s exclusion
Under Xabi Alonso’s management, Real Madrid has taken a firm stance on Reinier: the player is not part of the plans for the 2025/26 season. The coach, tasked with restructuring the squad, excluded the Brazilian from the Club World Cup roster, reinforcing the decision to seek a permanent exit. The club’s sporting directorate, led by Florentino Pérez, has also signaled that it no longer believes in the player’s recovery within the club.
Reinier, training separately from the main squad, faces a critical moment. The possibility of contract termination, though rare for a player with a deal until 2026, reflects Real Madrid’s urgency to resolve the situation.
Search for a new destination
Real Madrid’s sporting directorate is actively working to find a new club for Reinier. The preference is for a permanent transfer, but another loan is not ruled out if no satisfactory offers emerge. Brazilian clubs like Flamengo and Botafogo have shown interest in the midfielder, while Atlético-MG has also emerged as a potential destination.
- Possible paths for Reinier:
- Return to Flamengo, where he was revealed and won titles in 2019.
- Negotiations with Botafogo, which is monitoring the player’s situation.
- Interest from Atlético-MG for a loan deal.
- Potential transfer to smaller European clubs.
The decision about his next club will be pivotal for Reinier, who still has the potential to rediscover the brilliance of his Flamengo days but needs an environment offering playing time and confidence.
Challenges of adapting to European football
Reinier’s European journey has exposed the challenges faced by young Brazilian players in competitive markets. The pressure for immediate results, competition in star-studded squads, and cultural and tactical barriers have been constant hurdles. While Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo overcame these challenges, Reinier faced a scenario worsened by the pandemic, which limited his early opportunities at Real Madrid Castilla.
At 23, the midfielder still has time to turn things around. However, the lack of continuity and a series of unsuccessful loans have created a perception of stagnation in his career.
Comparison with other Brazilian prospects
Real Madrid’s strategy of investing in young Brazilians has paid off with Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo, who became key players in the squad. Reinier, signed with similar expectations, has not followed the same path. His brief stint at Castilla, disrupted by the pandemic, and the lack of first-team opportunities marked a starkly different trajectory.
- Factors distinguishing Reinier from Vini Jr. and Rodrygo:
- Immediate impact of Vini and Rodrygo in the first team.
- Less competition in the squad at the time of their debuts.
- Continuity in La Liga, while Reinier accumulated loans.
Interest from Brazilian clubs
The possibility of Reinier returning to Brazil gained traction in 2025, especially after Real Madrid’s decision to release him. Flamengo, where he was revealed, is a natural destination but faces competition from Botafogo and Atlético-MG. A return to Brazilian football could offer a chance to rebuild confidence in a familiar environment, as seen with other players who returned after underwhelming stints in Europe.
The July 2025 transfer window will be decisive in shaping the next chapter of Reinier’s career. Brazilian clubs, with more limited budgets, face the challenge of negotiating with Real Madrid, which seeks to minimize the loss on a signing that cost 30 million euros.
Reinier’s numbers in Europe
Since joining Real Madrid, Reinier has played 105 official matches in Europe, totaling under 4,000 minutes. His seven goals and eight assists reflect a performance below expectations for a player of his potential. His average minutes per game, especially at Dortmund and Girona, highlight his struggle to secure a role.
The season at Granada, despite offering more minutes, did not bring the expected progress. With just one goal in 25 games, Reinier failed to stand out in Spain’s second division, reinforcing Real Madrid’s decision to seek an exit.
Outlook for the immediate future
With a contract until June 2026, Reinier faces a defining moment. The possibility of contract termination, though less likely, underscores Real Madrid’s determination to resolve the issue. Smaller European leagues, such as the Dutch or Portuguese, could emerge as options, but a return to Brazil appears the most viable path at present.
The choice of his next club will be crucial in determining whether Reinier can reclaim the protagonism that marked his early days at Flamengo. At 23, he still has time to rewrite his story, but he will need a project that values his potential and provides playing time.