In an extraordinary press conference at Valdebebas on Tuesday, Florentino Pérez announced that elections for the presidency of Real Madrid will be held. Despite the upcoming elections, he made it clear in no uncertain terms that he is not planning to step down.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I have no intention of resigning," the 79-year-old president stated bluntly. "I've asked the Electoral Board to initiate the election process."
Pérez also confirmed that he, along with his current board, will run for re-election. In a direct challenge to his critics, he said, "Anyone who wants to run, go ahead. Don't hide behind journalists."
His statement comes just 48 hours after Real Madrid suffered another major blow: a 2-0 loss in El Clásico against Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou. This defeat secured Barcelona's title as LaLiga 2025-26 champions and marked a dismal end to Madrid's season.
Challenges and Accusations
Real Madrid ended the season without winning a single trophy, facing several high-profile setbacks. They were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by second-division Albacete, eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich, and defeated by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in January.
Amidst this turmoil, Pérez accused the media of orchestrating a campaign against him. "An absurd situation has been created, spurred by campaigns to generate public opinion against Real Madrid's interests, especially targeting me," he claimed.
Addressing Rumors and Health Concerns
He targeted the newspaper Relevo, describing it as "funded by LaLiga," and alleged that journalist Juanma Castaño of COPE and veteran broadcaster José María García were part of this campaign. Pérez also dismissed rumors about his health, which had been circulating recently: "Some have said I have terminal cancer. My health is perfect, otherwise, I couldn't manage two demanding roles."
Besides leading Real Madrid, Pérez is at the helm of ACS, a global infrastructure giant with 170,000 employees and an annual revenue of 50 billion euros.
Controversies and Future Plans
Regarding a locker room incident between players Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, Pérez downplayed the altercation but criticized its leak: "It's not the first time players have clashed. The real issue is the leak. We know who's responsible. They're both great and talented young men."
He also announced plans to prepare a dossier for UEFA concerning the Negreira case: "It's a systemic corruption issue. The biggest corruption scandal in football history. I've won seven Champions Leagues and seven Ligas, and I should have won 14. The rest were stolen from me."
When asked about the potential return of José Mourinho as coach, Pérez replied succinctly, "We're not at that procedural stage."
He concluded the press conference with a statement that encapsulated the event's tone: "There's a conspiracy of journalists who think they run the club. They'll have to force me out because I have the support of Madrid's members."
Frequently Asked Questions about Florentino Pérez's Announcement
Why did Florentino Pérez call for elections at Real Madrid?
Florentino Pérez called for elections to reaffirm his leadership amid criticisms and a challenging season for Real Madrid.
What accusations did Pérez make against the media?
Pérez accused the media of running a campaign to generate negative public opinion against him and Real Madrid, citing specific journalists and outlets as being part of this effort.
What is the Negreira case mentioned by Pérez?
The Negreira case refers to alleged systemic corruption in football that Pérez believes has affected Real Madrid's success, claiming it is one of the biggest corruption scandals in the sport's history.