It is difficult to find the right words to describe Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez’s latest press conference at Valdebebas. He called the media to announce an election call—without specifying a date—but mostly to attack what he called Real Madrid’s enemies, particularly journalists.
“The internal enemies I deal with. The external ones I also have to handle. There are journalists who smear players simply because they don’t hand over their phone numbers. Journalists think they have a lot of power, but they have none. When they write bad things about Real Madrid, it’s out of personal interest.”
“I will finish off all those who are against Real Madrid, whether they are journalists or not. I won’t stop. This is the thing that has infuriated me most in my life—using such vile tactics. A friend told me he knows the best place in China to treat advanced cancer. I said, ‘Go to hell…’ (he laughs). At my age, I don’t want to show off my company, but it turns over 50 billion euros a year.”
He lashed out at specific media outlets and individuals. “They even started a newspaper! ‘Relevo’—lost 25 million euros. They wanted to go against Real Madrid, and all they lost was money.”
“Some journalists think they can command Real Madrid. They unite: ‘We won’t agree.’ We’ll analyze it. Don’t worry. If Juanma Castaño is from ‘Cope’ radio, tell him for me. Show a little more respect to the greatest club in history.”
“My father used to read ‘ABC’. He subscribed many years ago. I wanted to respect my father, but now I have decided to cancel the subscription to ‘ABC’. My father will understand. How can ‘Relevo’ be like this? Nobody buys it.”
He also addressed a female journalist directly: “Let the girl ask, you’re all annoying.” This came after he had earlier questioned whether a woman writer knew anything about football.
The press conference became increasingly erratic, with Pérez accusing various reporters of leading a coordinated campaign against the club. He claimed that during his 26 years as president, there has never been a year without players fighting—sometimes four at a time—but insisted such incidents should not be made public.
“It’s a bit embarrassing to say it, but I have been named the greatest president in the history of Real Madrid, and indeed of any club in the world.”
