Florentino Pérez, the 79-year-old president of Real Madrid, convened an unusual press conference at the club's Valdebebas training complex on Tuesday, accusing unnamed journalists and rivals of orchestrating a campaign to force him out. Speaking for over an hour, Pérez appeared visibly agitated, a departure from his typically composed demeanour, as he called for new club elections and dared his detractors to challenge him openly.
“I want to talk about all those I believe are behind this campaign...some people are moving in the shadows to run for elections. Well, let them run,” Pérez said. “This is the opportunity I am giving them.”
Trophy drought and internal tensions
The press conference came two days after Real Madrid lost 2–0 to Barcelona at the Camp Nou, handing the Catalan club its second consecutive La Liga title. Madrid has now gone two seasons without a major trophy, despite the high-profile arrival of French star Kylian Mbappé. Pérez acknowledged the frustration but defended his record: “I share the frustration that this year we haven’t been able to win anything. I am the first to want to win everything. Let me remind you that, under my presidency, we have won 66 titles in soccer and basketball: 37 in soccer and 29 in basketball.”
He did not address questions about a potential coaching change, including speculation about José Mourinho's return, insisting his appearance was solely to defend the club's members from what he described as attacks. Pérez also criticised the leak of a training-ground altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, which resulted in fines of €500,000 each. “It's not the first time that players fight with each other. 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,” he said.
Health rumours and the Negreira dossier
Pérez dismissed persistent rumours about his health, calling them part of the campaign against him. “They said I have cancer and that it was terminal. It was the most undignified thing that has ever happened to me. They said I didn't go out, that I couldn't walk,” he stated. He assured supporters that he continues to preside over Real Madrid and his construction company daily.
In a broader move, Pérez announced that the club is compiling a dossier on Barcelona's payments to a company owned by José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice president of Spain's refereeing committee. He plans to present the evidence to UEFA. “Three years ago, we learned about a corruption case known as the Negreira Case. There are no precedents in the history of world soccer. It is the biggest scandal in history and a case that remains unresolved and ongoing,” Pérez said. Barcelona has consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming the payments were for technical reports on referees.
The press conference, held at a time when Madrid's on-field struggles have intensified scrutiny, underscores the high-stakes politics within one of Europe's most iconic football clubs. Pérez, in his seventh term across two stints, is not due for re-election until 2029, but his challenge to opponents signals a desire to quell dissent before it gains momentum.
