Real Madrid wouldn't want Vinicius Junior going anywhere if they were assessing the Brazilian star's situation in 2024. He finished that season with 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 games, and was widely expected to win the Ballon d'Or.
France Football handed the award to Manchester City's Rodri and Madrid showed their support for Vinicius by not turning up to the event. But fast forward two years and the Brazilian looks closer than ever before to departing the Estadio Bernabeu amid a lack of form, going 18 games without a goal.
Reports claim that there are "doubts" over the 25-year-old staying put and signing a contract extension. It's believed that the club and the player want a renewal but the possibility of a summer exit can't be ruled out.
If Vinicius does leave in the summer, it would mean Madrid might enter the market for a replacement. We look at five possible candidates to take up the left-wing berth in Xabi Alonso's team.
Kylian Mbappe - Real Madrid
Let's start with the easiest solution and suggest Alonso turns to Kylian Mbappe to take up the left-wing role in Madrid's side. This was where he thrived at Paris Saint-Germain and there were initially question marks over his move due to making him the focal point of the attack.
But Mbappe has been in red-hot form this season while leading the line, posting 29 goals in 24 games. He is adaptable but could relish returning to the left of a front three and this also allows Gonzalo Garcia to take up a starting role in Alonso's team as the number nine.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Paris Saint-Germain
PSG replaced Mbappe with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and the Georgian winger has been superb at the Parc des Princes. He was crucial for the Parisians in their Champions League triumph last season, bagging three goals and two assists in nine games in the competition.
Doing business with PSG could be extremely difficult given the lengthy feud over Madrid pursuing Mbappe over the years. But they could be aided by the player's affection for Los Blancos as it's long been known that he supported the club during childhood.
Kvaratskhelia would be an ideal replacement for Vinicius, boasting electric pace and incredible vision. He feels a good fit for a Los Merengues jersey, although you'd likely be paying a fee similar to that of the €115m that made Eden Hazard the club's most expensive player in history.
Jeremy Doku - Manchester City
Another one of Europe's fastest wingers is Jeremy Doku who is enjoying a stellar season at Manchester City. The Belgian has dealt with injury issues over the years but has moved past them and been a key member of Pep Guardiola's side this season.
Doku has similarities to Vinicius but his end product does need improving. He has shown he has the ability to play in high-pressure games, putting in a world-class performance in City's 3-0 win over Liverpool earlier this season.
City might be more open to selling the 23-year-old after signing Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. While the Ghanaian can play on his right, his preferred position is on the left wing.
Rafael Leao - AC Milan
The most attainable option on this list is AC Milan's Rafael Leao who is linked with a move away from the San Siro every single summer. The Portuguese attacking ace is now experienced at the age of 26 but might not be the most glamarous Vinicius replacement.
Leao has managed seven goals in 12 Serie A games this season and his versatility could gel well with Mbappe. You can use him out on the left but also as center-forward but he does tend to come in and out of form so there is a risk in bringing him to the Bernabeu.
Bradley Barcola - Paris Saint-Germain
If Kvaratskhelia is off the cards then Madrid could try their luck at signing his PSG teammate Bradley Barcola. The French attacker's future was the subject of speculation in the summer amid talk of him being handed a sub role this season.
But Barcola has actually played more minutes than Kvaratskhelia this season and been in fine form in Paris. He has registered five goals in 14 Ligue 1 games and the 23-year-old has the ability to play on either wing and as a center-forward.
This signing would benefit Mbappe as they have previously played together at PSG. He's still young and could be a long-term answer if Vinicius does bid farewell.