In a stunning and emotionally charged press conference at Valdebebas, Florentino Pérez has broken his silence. Following a week that saw the club lose the La Liga title to Barcelona and suffer a complete breakdown in locker room discipline, the 79-year-old president didn’t just defend himself—he declared war on his critics.
Pérez officially announced he is calling for new club elections, challenging anyone who wants his job to step up and face the members.
“Bad Journalists and Orchestrated Attacks”
Pérez, usually the picture of professional calm, appeared visibly frustrated as he took aim at what he calls an “absurd situation” of media manipulation.
- The Accusation: He claimed a group of “bad journalists and non-journalists” are attempting to “destroy Real Madrid” from within.
- The Results: While admitting that “results haven’t been the greatest,” he insisted that the current pressure is a calculated attempt to oust him rather than a reaction to on-pitch performance.
- Defending the Members: “I will always defend the interest of the Madrid members,” Pérez stated, emphasizing that the club belongs to its socios, not the press.
The “Leak” is the Real Crime
Addressing the violent scuffle between Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni for the first time, Pérez made a surprising claim. He argued that the fight itself was normal, but the leak to the media was an act of betrayal.
“It’s not the first time players fight… it happens almost every season. But someone leaked it for the first time. And we know who it was. It should have stayed within the club.”
By focusing on the “whistleblower” rather than the €1 million in fines, Pérez signaled that his biggest priority is restoring the “silence” and privacy that defines Real Madrid’s internal culture.
Dismissing Health Rumors
In perhaps the most personal moment of the conference, Pérez addressed rumors about his health that have been circulating on social media.
- The Claim: Some outlets suggested the president was suffering from terminal cancer.
- The Reality: Pérez slammed these reports as “undignified,” stating that detractors were inventing stories about him being unable to walk to force him out of office. He confirmed he is healthy and has no intention of quitting through the back door.
What About Mourinho?
When asked the question every fan wanted to hear—is José Mourinho coming back?—Pérez refused to comment. He insisted that today’s appearance was strictly about the “institutional attacks” on the club and not about sporting decisions.
However, the fact that he is calling for elections suggests he wants a “fresh mandate” from the fans before making a massive, controversial hiring like “The Special One.”
RMxtra Verdict: The President’s Last Stand?
By calling for elections, Florentino Pérez is betting on himself. He is betting that despite two trophy-less seasons and the Mbappé drama, the members still trust him more than any outsider. This is a bold move to kill the “campaign” against him and regain total control of the club’s narrative.
