After five and a half years of comings and goings, Reinier Jesus has officially left Real Madrid. As Grada 3 has learned, the 23-year-old Brazilian will return to his native country and sign with Atlético Mineiro in the coming hours, until December 2029. In fact, he is already in Belo Horizonte, the city where Galo plays, and was welcomed like an idol at Confins airport. He will be presented to the local fans in the early hours of Thursday morning during the second leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16 between the Alvinegro and Flamengo, the team that trained him.
Reinier’s story in the Spanish capital is coming to an end. “A frustrated love affair.” He was never given a chance with the first team. Not even a single friendly match. He arrived in Valdebebas in January 2020, after coming of age, in exchange for €30 million from Flamengo. It was a gamble by Juni Calafat, as were Vinicius Júnior and Rodrygo Goes. However, with ‘Rei’ (as he is known to his close friends), it did not work out. In five and a half seasons, the attacking midfielder has been sent out on loan. All of them unsuccessful. Borussia Dortmund (two years), Girona, Frosinone, and Granada. Injuries and repeated changes meant that the Brasilia native did not have the stability he wanted. Now, at 23, it’s time to return home.
Reinier is already in Belo Horizonte. 👀
He was welcomed like an idol at Confins airport.
Tomorrow, he will be presented in the Copa do Brasil match against Flamengo.
(🎥 @CentralDoCAM)
pic.twitter.com/NF2j5QJVO3 https://t.co/JqqXAFbKqG
— Ben Fernandes Santos (@benfeerr) August 6, 2025
Another eventful summer for Reinier
It’s a step back to take two steps forward. Reinier needed to be happy again and rediscover his football. His magic that characterized him so much and made Real Madrid pay 30 million euros for him half a decade ago. There is no better way to do it than close to his family and in a league he already knows. The Olympic champion (Tokyo 2021) is hungry to prove that his talent will not be wasted. ‘Rei’ will continue to have his sights set on Europe. But first, he has to go back to square one and rediscover his best form.
After a final loan spell at Granada, Reinier officially returned to Valdebebas for the fourth time in five and a half years. His contract with Real Madrid was due to expire in 2026. Therefore, a solution had to be found, and quickly, because he was not in Xabi Alonso‘s plans. In recent summer transfer windows, the Brazilian’s case was always resolved in the final hours of August 30. This year, that script could not be repeated. Both the club and the player wanted a solution that would satisfy everyone as soon as possible.
And at first, there was some “tension.” From Chamartín, the position was clear: if no offer came in, they would seek to terminate the contract. Reinier, who felt he had not been given a chance at Real Madrid, was willing to fulfill his final year with the club and train alone. He was earning around $3 million a year and had no intention of forgiving a single cent. The Brazilian returned to Valdebebas on July 24. He underwent a medical examination and trained alone at the Real Madrid facilities. He trained once with Castilla under Arbeloa when the reserve team returned from their training camp in Marbella, but he was not in the reserve team’s plans either.
📌 Reinier has resumed training today with Real Madrid in Valdebebas.
He did so on an individual basis. pic.twitter.com/KdQ2nfaSEN
— Ben Fernandes Santos (@benfeerr) July 24, 2025
Brazil and Atlético Mineiro, his escape route
And suddenly, the idea of returning to Brazil arose. Reinier was clear as soon as the possibility was raised: “We’re going home.” In addition, several clubs in the Brasileirão were sounding out his situation. First, Flamengo. The team that catapulted him to fame and saw him lift the Copa Libertadores before signing for Real Madrid. Then there was Botafogo, the champions of that competition and the club managed by Davide Ancelotti, Carlo’s son. However, neither club made a formal offer to ‘Rei’ or the Concha Espina club.
Atlético Mineiro did. The Galo club initially positioned itself as just another interested party. But when they saw that neither Flamengo nor Botafogo had formalized their interest, the Alvinegros went all out. However, they had one condition: Reinier had to come for free.
Valued at €1.5 million on Transfermarkt, the striker is a long way from the €30 million that Madrid paid in 2020. In Chamartín, they did not look unfavorably on the deal, although they did want to make sure they got “something in the coffers” for the Brasilia native.
The details of the deal
And a solution was found. Reinier leaves Atlético Mineiro on a free transfer, but with favorable guarantees for Real Madrid. According to Grada 3, although ‘Rei’ is not leaving a single cent in Concha Espina’s accounts with his departure… for now. As it has been doing with its youth players who try their luck outside the Spanish capital, the Merengue club retains 50% of any future sale.
Finally, Reinier will sign a contract until December 2029 with Atlético Mineiro and will earn approximately €1.5 million net per year. The striker made his decision after talking to several players, including the famous Hulk, and the team’s coach, Cuca.
They all told him the same thing: the Atlético Mineiro fans are “incredible” and everyone will welcome him with open arms. Without thinking twice, the now former Real Madrid player enthusiastically agreed to wear the ‘Galo’ shirt and is already looking forward to making his debut with his new club. He is expected to make his debut against Vasco da Gama in the league this coming Sunday.
➕Details Reinier – Atlético Mineiro:
– One-year loan (he leaves on a free transfer as his contract has expired).
– Atlético Mineiro will pay his salary (between 500k and 1 million Brazilian reais per month, which is between 77k and 150k euros).
– Real Madrid retains 50% of his rights. https://t.co/6F2zZM1jnE
— Ben Fernandes Santos (@benfeerr) August 3, 2025