Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has responded to the club’s ongoing sporting crisis by calling for board elections, while firmly rejecting rumors of his resignation. “I regret to say that I am not stepping down,” the 79-year-old remarked sarcastically during an impromptu press conference.
The long-serving club leader alleged a coordinated campaign against both himself and the institution. “They say I am ill, that I have an incurable cancer. It’s all fabricated. I take this opportunity to tell those who worry about me: I continue to run the club and my company, which generates 50 billion annually. My health is perfect,” emphasized the construction magnate.
Over the past two seasons, Real Madrid has failed to secure any major silverware. Most recently, they were forced to watch their arch-rivals Barcelona celebrate a league title at the Camp Nou. “The storied club is navigating a crisis not only due to poor results but also a series of controversies—what Spanish media describe as ‘unprecedented,'” the statement added.
Reports from Madrid have increasingly detailed locker room turmoil, including disputes and physical altercations among star players Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and others. The internal strife has reportedly complicated the search for a successor to coach Álvaro Arbeloa. However, widespread speculation suggests that José Mourinho—currently at Benfica—is poised to take over at Real Madrid once again.
During the press conference, Pérez engaged in heated exchanges with journalists, accusing the media of spreading falsehoods. “They think they can intimidate me, but they give me even more energy than I already have,” he said. Dismissing criticism, he added: “According to Transfermarkt, we have the most valuable squad in the world. We have everything. Why do some media outlets criticize us?” Notably, Real Madrid’s squad value stands at €1.34 billion, having lost ground to Manchester City (€1.31 billion) in the latest market value update.
Pérez confirmed that he and his entire board would stand for re-election, though he did not specify a date for the vote. Spanish media interpreted the press conference as a de facto vote of confidence. Having served two previous terms from 2000 to 2006, Pérez has led Real Madrid continuously since 2009, overseeing seven Champions League triumphs during his tenure.
