Florentino Perez ready to resist “campaigns against the interests of Real Madrid and against me”
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has announced he will not resign from his position and instead plans to call elections in response to what he described as a campaign against both himself and the club.
The 79-year-old addressed reporters on Tuesday after holding a meeting with the club’s board of directors amid growing scrutiny following another disappointing season for Madrid.
“I’m sorry to say that I’m not going to resign,” Perez immediately said. “I’m going to call an election. I’ve asked the electoral committee to begin the process of organising elections for the board of directors, of which this Board of Directors will stand as candidate.”
Perez, who was re-elected unopposed in January 2025, claimed sections of the Spanish media had launched personal attacks against him and attempted to damage the club’s reputation after Madrid failed to win a major trophy for a second consecutive season.
“At Real Madrid there is no single owner; it is the 1,000 members who make up the club,” Perez said. “I have taken this decision because an absurd situation has arisen, caused by campaigns against the interests of Real Madrid and against me. The results haven’t been the best, but in sport you don’t always win.”
⚙️ Preparing for the match against Oviedo. pic.twitter.com/wklECFvSpj
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 12, 2026
Perez also addressed rumours concerning his health, denying reports that he was seriously ill.
“Some have told me I have terminal cancer,” Madrid’s president said. “I’d like to take this opportunity to let the people who have been concerned about me know that I’m still presiding over Real Madrid and my company, that my health is perfect. I couldn’t be in both places if my health weren’t perfect.
Madrid suffered a huge blow on Sunday after the 2-0 defeat to Barcelona marked the first time the league title had been decided in a clásico. Perez defended his record in charge, pointing to the trophies won during his two spells as president.
“I’m the first to admit that I want to win everything,” Perez said. “Under my presidency, we’ve won 37 football titles and 29 basketball titles.
“I invite anyone who wants to stand for election to do so. I’m standing to defend the interests of Real Madrid’s members. They won’t intimidate me. It gives me a lot of energy.”
The president also briefly addressed reports of a training-ground altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni before the clásico. The incident was reportedly leaked to the media and both players were fined a combined sum of €1m by the club.
“I’m not going to talk about coaches or players,” Perez said. “It’s not the first time that players have hit each other since I’ve been here but it has been the first time that it has been leaked.”
