An agitated Florentino Pérez summoned the media Tuesday, claiming a coordinated campaign is working to oust him as Real Madrid president. The 79-year-old called for early club elections, daring his shadowy opponents to step forward and challenge him.
"I want to talk about all those I believe are behind this campaign...some people are moving in the shadows to run for elections. Well, let them run," Pérez said. "This is the opportunity I am giving them."
He named specific newspapers and journalists, accusing them of orchestrating a smear campaign using "bad journalists and non journalists." The unscheduled press conference came two days after Barcelona beat Madrid 2-0 to clinch the La Liga title.
Pérez dismissed rumors about his health, calling reports of terminal cancer "the most undignified thing that has ever happened to me." He insisted he remains fully engaged, presiding over both Real Madrid and his construction company daily.
With Madrid trophy-less for a second straight season despite signing Kylian Mbappé, Pérez acknowledged fan frustration but highlighted his tenure's 66 titles across soccer and basketball. He declined to comment on coaching changes when asked about a potential José Mourinho return.
Pérez also addressed a leaked player altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, which resulted in €500,000 fines each. He called the leak worse than the fight itself and claimed to know who leaked it.
Looking outward, Pérez announced plans to deliver a dossier to UEFA regarding Barcelona's Negreira case payments, labeling it "the biggest scandal in history" of world soccer.