Pérez: There's their way of doing things... and my way, which is to keep winning

Real Madrid's incumbent president, Florentino Pérez, is confident he will secure another term tomorrow (Sunday) in the electoral battle against his sole challenger, Enric Riquelme. Today, the long-serving boss concluded his campaign with a final statement, dedicating significant time to mocking his opponent.

“Some people have no scruples and use the Real Madrid jersey to mislead members,” Pérez expressed his displeasure.

Regarding the rumors about Jürgen Klopp and the subsequent denial: “But didn't they have a coach with an active contract lined up at the start of the campaign? Truly, for these gentlemen, anything goes. The Real Madrid jersey is not stained with lies.” He then drew a comparison: “Members know there's their way of doing things... and my way, which is to keep winning.”

“I don't present them with rolled-up jerseys for some presenter to make a show out of,” he quipped. His tone then sharpened further: “Our DNA is never to give up and not to laugh with a presenter who insults us with mascots chosen by anti-Madridistas.”

Earlier today, Riquelme stated that Real Madrid was “in an extremely severe financial crisis.” Florentino responded to this claim: “They say the finances are bad, precisely when Forbes announces we are the club with the highest revenue and highest value. Well, they were out of luck!”

On the issue of club ownership change, he remained firm: “With me at the helm, Real Madrid has been, is, and always will be owned by its members.” Pérez concluded with a joke about the Pope, who is now in Madrid: “He said on the plane that he's a Real Madrid fan.” This was the final point of his campaign. Voting is scheduled for tomorrow.

Florentino Pérez's Full Speech

“It is also a source of pride to be able to defend values we have inherited from our fathers and which we continue to pass on. Real Madrid is very important, and that is why I always insist on the responsibility we, the members, bear to protect what is ours. These elections prove that the club member is the sole owner. I said it when I arrived, and although some claimed I was coming to take over the club, all I did was provide guarantees so that players and suppliers could get paid.”

“Throughout this time, I have done nothing but work to ensure that no one can take away our status as owners. I worked so that we could all vote, as we will do tomorrow; for democracy and transparency. With me at the helm, that shameful General Assembly would have been unthinkable. Back then, with the consent of Calderón's board, non-members and even Atlético Madrid ultras were allowed to vote. Tomorrow, the club member will vote freely, knowing that their sovereignty is sacred.”

“I urge everyone to go and vote. Real Madrid needs it; our future is at stake. Members will not tolerate lies; not everything is permissible. Some people have no scruples and use the Real Madrid jersey to mislead members. A rumor was spread on a television show, and minutes later, the player's agent, his father, and the club denied it and threatened legal action. This disgrace makes us ashamed.”

“Last night, they announced a coach's name, and he responded minutes later, telling them not to even bother. But didn't they have a coach with an active contract lined up at the start of the campaign? Truly, for these gentlemen, anything goes. The Real Madrid jersey is not stained with lies. We suffered enough during that dark three-year period under Calderón to return to that now. Members know what is at stake tomorrow. Between their way of doing things and mine, which is... that is... (silence) to keep winning.”

“With me at the helm, no one has won more in history. I don't present them with rolled-up jerseys for some presenter to make a show out of. I attract the best in the world, and I will continue to do so. To preside over Real Madrid, the first thing you must do is not lie to the members. In recent days, I have spoken with many of you, gathered many suggestions and recommendations. We will work to continue improving, paying special attention to members without season tickets. I will work with all my might.”

“We have transformed the club and are the club with the highest revenue and highest value in the world. They say the finances are bad, precisely when Forbes announces we are the club with the highest revenue and highest value. Well, they were out of luck! They are specialists in fake news. This page will go down in history because of the role played by certain journalists and some media outlets. Their collusion with the candidacy of lies crossed all red lines. This campaign to destabilize the club was what prompted me to call elections.”

“They come to talk to us about DNA: our DNA is never to give up and not to laugh with a presenter who insults us with mascots chosen by anti-Madridistas.”

And I ask you: Is that why you came back? To mock the members? Well, you will always have me against you, because I came for the exact opposite. I am here to defend Real Madrid from them and from all who want to interfere with what belongs to Real Madrid.

And I never forget the Negreira case. Some are not here to defend Real Madrid from the biggest scandal in the history of sports. Well, I am here to go to the very end.

Let them hear it well: with me, Real Madrid has been, is, and always will be owned by its members. We will work on a proposal where, as I have always said, any change to the statutes will be made with the consent of the members. I ask you to go and vote so that we can continue to defend Real Madrid. We, the members, are and will be the owners of Real Madrid, not only sentimentally but also economically.

Go and vote for those who made us Madridistas. And because we have much more history to write.”