Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has defiantly called for club elections, insisting he will stand again for the top job despite a challenging season that has seen the club finish without a major trophy for the second consecutive year, according to BBC Sport. The 79-year-old leader, who has been in office since June 2009 and previously from 2000 to 2006, used a nearly 90-minute press conference to address mounting criticism and anonymous briefings in the Spanish press suggesting he was tired.
Perez’s announcement follows a disappointing campaign where Real Madrid exited the Champions League in the quarter-finals against Bayern Munich. Domestically, rivals Barcelona secured back-to-back La Liga titles with three games to spare, having also defeated Real Madrid in a recent Clasico at Camp Nou. While the current season has ended trophyless, Real Madrid did secure the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Intercontinental Trophy in 2024-25, showcasing recent success under his tenure.
Addressing the speculation head-on, Perez challenged his detractors. “I’m here to say I’m not going anywhere and I’m here to stand for election,” Perez stated. “If someone does want to stand for election, this is your opportunity. But don’t move in the shadows with publications, news outlets. And I’m not in bed, unwell. I have to come out and sit here because as Real Madrid president, I can’t allow journalists to do what they do.”
Perez defends tenure and attacks La Liga
The veteran president highlighted Real Madrid’s impressive trophy haul during his combined time at the helm, which stands at 37 titles. He dismissed suggestions of fatigue, asserting his dedication to the club and criticizing those he believes are leaking information. Perez also launched a scathing attack on the Spanish football authorities, describing them as an adversary. “And of course, the enemy, La Liga. We have to battle against La Liga. Corruption in the game, systematic,” he declared.
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Perez’s confrontational style during the press conference, which was summoned at short notice, also saw him directly challenge journalists and specific news outlets, including a controversial remark directed at a female reporter. In response to Perez’s accusations, Barcelona issued a statement confirming their “legal department is carefully studying his statements and accusations” and evaluating “the next steps to follow.”
Internal issues and coaching changes
The season’s struggles have been compounded by internal issues, including a public campaign against star forward Kylian Mbappe’s perceived lack of effort and a dressing room altercation last month between midfielder Federico Valverde and team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni, which saw Valverde require hospital treatment. On the coaching front, Perez had sacked Xabi Alonso in January after appointing him as head coach, and his replacement, Alvaro Arbeloa, is unlikely to be retained. Current Benfica manager Jose Mourinho is now reportedly set to return to Real Madrid as head coach.
As the club prepares for elections, Perez’s defiant stance sets the stage for a potentially contentious period, with the president determined to maintain control amidst a backdrop of on-field disappointment and off-field controversy.
Sources: www.bbc.com
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