Florentino Pérez
{{short description|Spanish businessman, president of Real Madrid}}
{{family name hatnote|Pérez|Rodríguez|lang=Spanish}}
{{use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Florentino Pérez
| image = 25th Laureus World Sports Awards - Red Carpet - Florentino Pérez - 240422 194826 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Pérez in 2024
| office = 15th and 18th President of Real Madrid
| term_start = 1 June 2009
| term_end =
| predecessor = Vicente Boluda
| successor =
| term_start1 = 16 July 2000
| term_end1 = 27 February 2006
| predecessor1 = Lorenzo Sanz
| successor1 = Fernando Martín Álvarez {{small|(unofficial)}}
Ramón Calderón
| module = {{Infobox person
| embed = yes
| birth_name = Florentino Pérez Rodríguez
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1947|3|8}}
| birth_place = Hortaleza, Madrid, Spain
| alma_mater = Technical University of Madrid
| occupation = Businessman, civil engineer, sports club president
| years_active =
| employer =
| known_for = {{ubl|President of Real Madrid|Chairman of The Super League}}
| title =
| term =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| opponents =
| party = Union of the Democratic Center (1979–1982)
Democratic Reformist Party (1982–1986)
| boards = Chairman of Grupo ACS
| spouse = María Ángeles "Pitina" Sandoval Montero (d. 2012){{cite web|url=http://www.youkioske.com/prensa-espanola/diario-abc-23-mayo-2012/|title=Death of "Pitina" Sandoval}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
| callsign =
| awards =
| website =
| signature = Firma de Florentino Pérez Embid.svg
}}
| footnotes =
}}
Florentino Pérez Rodríguez ({{IPA|es|floɾenˈtino ˈpeɾeθ roˈðɾiɣeθ}}; born 8 March 1947) is a Spanish businessman and the president of football club Real Madrid, as well as chairman and CEO of Grupo ACS, a civil engineering company. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest club presidents of all time.{{Cite web |title=Florentino Pérez receives the Globe Soccer Award for the best club president of all time |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/news/football/first-team/latest-news/florentino-perez-mejor-presidente-todos-tiempos-globe-soccer |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=www.realmadrid.com}}
Pérez began his professional career in the private sector in 1971 and was a member of the Spanish Union of the Democratic Center and the secretary-general of the Spanish Democratic Reformist Party, from 1979 to 1986.{{Cite web |title=Nuestros directores generales |url=https://www.aecarretera.com/quienes-somos/historia/nuestros-directores-generales}} He has been president of Real Madrid from 2000 to 2006 and from 2009 onwards. During his first six years as president, he implemented the Galácticos policy of bringing the world's best players to Real Madrid. In his first four seasons in charge, he bought Luís Figo from arch-rivals Barcelona, Zinedine Zidane for a then-world record transfer fee, Ronaldo, and David Beckham. From the 2003–04 season to the 2005-06 season, the club did not win a trophy, leading Pérez to resign in 2006. He assumed office again in 2009 and he restarted the Galácticos policy. He brought Kaká and Xabi Alonso to the club, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo for a then-world record transfer fee, and Karim Benzema, a talented rising star from Ligue 1. In domestic competitions, Real Madrid competed against a Barcelona team led by Pep Guardiola and an Atlético de Madrid team led by Diego Simeone. The club was coached by managers such as José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Zinedine Zidane. Over the course of eleven seasons from 2013 to 2024, the club won six Champions League titles. Real Madrid has won a record 7 Champions League titles during his presidency.
Pérez is the most successful president in the history of Real Madrid, winning 37 titles during his presidency, surpassing Santiago Bernabéu, who won 32.{{Cite web |last=Akhunbayev |first=Beken |date=2024-05-05 |title=Florentino Perez becomes Real Madrid's most successful president |url=https://tribuna.com/en/news/realmadrid-2024-05-05-florentino-perez-becomes-real-madrids-most-successful-president/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=Tribuna.com}}
Early career
Pérez attended the Polytechnic University of Madrid.{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/florentino-perez/ | work=Forbes | title=Florentino Perez | date=24 October 2022}} Pérez joined the Union of the Democratic Centre party in 1979, serving as a member of Madrid's city council.{{cite news | url=https://elpais.com/diario/1976/05/06/madrid/200229854_850215.html | work=El País | title=Nuevos delegados de Saneamiento, Obras y Gerencia Municipal de Urbanismo | date=6 May 1976}} In 1986, Pérez ran as a candidate for the Democratic Reformist Party (Partido Reformista Democrático) and served as its secretary-general.
In 1993, Pérez was named vice chairman of OCP Construcciones. After the merger of OCP with Gines y Navarro into Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A. (ACS) in 1997, he became chairman of the new company. As of 2018, Pérez leads Grupo ACS,{{cite web|title=Grupo ACS|url=https://www.grupoacs.com/|accessdate=21 April 2021|website=Grupoacs.com}} Spain's largest construction company, and has an estimated net worth of US$2.5 billion.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/florentino-perez/|title=Florentino Perez|website=Forbes}}
Real Madrid presidency
===First term===
In 1995, Pérez ran as a candidate for the presidency of Real Madrid against Ramón Mendoza and Santiago Gómez Pintado. Despite obtaining the highest number of signatures to endorse his candidacy, he came in second place.
In 2000, Pérez again ran as a candidate for presidency of Real Madrid, which he won with more than 55% of the votes, beating the incumbent president at that time, Lorenzo Sanz. Sanz assumed that the recently won UEFA Champions Leagues in 1998 and 2000 would give him enough credit to win the elections, but Pérez's campaign, once again highlighting the financial problems of the club and claims of mismanagement by the previous boards, proved otherwise. Pérez's promise to bring in Luís Figo from arch-rivals Barcelona also played a decisive role in the elections. Pérez was later re-elected in 2004 with 94.2% of the total votes.{{Cite news |date=2004-07-11 |title=Florentino Pérez, reelegido presidente del Real Madrid con el 94,25% de los votos |url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2004/07/11/actualidad/1089530515_850215.html |access-date=2024-03-25 |work=El País |language=es |issn=1134-6582}}
Figo also marked the start of Pérez's policy to bring one of the best football players in the world to Real Madrid each season. The strategy was initially known as that of Zidanes y Pavones in which superstars would play alongside the Canteranos, but the players were soon popularly referred to as Galácticos. In 2001, Zinedine Zidane was signed from Juventus for a then-world record transfer fee of €77.5 million. Zidane was followed up by Ronaldo in 2002, David Beckham in 2003, Michael Owen in 2004, and Robinho for a short time in 2005. Initially, Pérez's policy worked to great success, as each new Galáctico had the squad built around them, and the team had a good balance between attack and defence. In his first years in office, Real Madrid won two Spanish championships and its record ninth UEFA Champions League. Pérez claimed success in clearing the club's debt; however, this was contradicted by director Ramón Calderón.
Several years after leaving Real, Fernando Hierro stated that Claude Makélélé had been the club's most important and least appreciated midfielder, saying: "The loss of Makélélé was the beginning of the end for Los Galácticos... You can see that it was also the beginning of a new dawn for Chelsea."{{cite news |date=30 April 2005 |url=http://www.fernandohierro.com/news/63.htm |title=Hierro's hunger drives Bolton to brink of history |publisher=Fernando Hierro.com |access-date=30 March 2007}} From the 2003–04 season to the 2005-06 season with the absence of manager Vicente del Bosque and Makélélé, Real Madrid failed to win a trophy.
Although Pérez's policy resulted in increased financial success based on the exploitation of the club's high marketing potential around the world, especially in Asia, it came under increasing criticism for being focused too much on marketing the Real Madrid brand and not enough on the club’s football. He announced his resignation on 27 February 2006, acknowledging that the team and the club as a whole needed a new direction.{{cite news|title=President quits troubled Real|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/president-quits-troubled-real-ddqf6nsdrp3|newspaper=The Times|date=28 February 2006|access-date=27 October 2010|location=London|last1=Costello|first1=Miles|last2=Naughton|first2=Philippe}}
=Second term=
On 14 May 2009, Pérez announced his candidacy for president of Real Madrid in a press conference at the Hotel Ritz Madrid.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_5323492,00.html|title=Perez makes presidential promise|work=SkySports}} On 1 June, given that he was the only candidate able to provide the €57,389,000 guarantee necessary to run for the presidency, Pérez was announced as the new president of Real Madrid.{{cite web|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202773095983/noticia/ComunicadoOficial/ANNOUNCEMENT_OF_THE_BOARD_OF_DIRECTORS.htm|title=Real Madrid News – Real Madrid CF|website=Real Madrid C.F. – Web Oficial}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8076515.stm|title=Perez to return as Real president |date=1 June 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=3 June 2009}}
In his second term, Pérez continued with the Galácticos policy pursued during his first term. On 8 June, he bought Kaká from Milan for just under £60 million,{{cite news|date=2009-06-09|title=Kaka completes Real Madrid switch|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8082147.stm|access-date=2021-04-21}} while on 11 June, Manchester United accepted an £80 million offer for Cristiano Ronaldo, which would once again break the world record. On 25 June, Pérez and Real Madrid announced the signing of Valencia centre-back Raúl Albiol for €15 million.{{cite web|title=Raul Albiol, new Real Madrid player|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202774661659/noticia/ComunicadoOficial/Official_Announcement_2009-06-25.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628000321/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202774661659/noticia/ComunicadoOficial/Official_Announcement_2009-06-25.htm|archive-date=28 June 2009|access-date=25 June 2009}} and Karim Benzema from Lyon. On 1 July, Pérez bought Karim Benzema from Lyon for a fee of at least £30 million, which would increase to £35 million depending on the player's success.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} On 5 August, Real Madrid confirmed the signing of Xabi Alonso from Liverpool for £30 million;{{cite news|date=2009-08-05|title=Alonso completes £30m Real move|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8184444.stm|access-date=2021-04-21}} Alonso became the second Liverpool player to join Real Madrid in the same transfer window after full-back Álvaro Arbeloa's £5 million switch to the Santiago Bernabéu in July.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} On 31 May 2010, Pérez appointed José Mourinho as the new manager of Real Madrid in a £6.8 million deal.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}
File:Real Madrid, campeón de la Champions (27309388441).jpg Cristina Cifuentes in a Champions League trophy presentation ceremony at Puerta del Sol in 2017]]
During the next three years, Pérez brought a lot of new faces to the team, including the German wonderkid Mesut Özil and Ángel Di María, who both attracted attention from Europe's elite football clubs during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The squad managed to break Barcelona's dominance, winning the {{Lang|es|Copa del Rey|italic=no}} in 2011 and winning the La Liga title in 2012 with a record-breaking 100 points. Additionally, in 2011, Real Madrid reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/232468/report|title=Madrid clinch Copa del Rey}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/table?season=2011|title=Spanish Primera División Table – ESPN FC|website=espnfc.com}} In his third season, Mourinho led the team to its third consecutive Champions League semi-finals, second place in the league, and the Copa del Rey final, where Real lost to Atlético after extra time. However, the lack of trophies prompted Mourinho to leave Madrid for his former club Chelsea.{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1657436-real-madrid-highs-ands-lows-of-their-2013-14-season|title=Real Madrid: Highs and Lows of Their 2012-13 Season|publisher=Bleacher Report|work=Samuel Marsden|date=31 May 2013|access-date=10 August 2022}}
On 2 June 2013, Pérez was awarded a fourth term as the Real Madrid president, bringing in Carlo Ancelotti to replace Mourinho. Mesut Özil and Gonzalo Higuaín were sold to Arsenal{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/23929339|title=Mesut Ozil: Arsenal sign Real Madrid midfielder for £42.4m|date=2 September 2013|publisher=BBC}} and Napoli,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/23442542|title=Gonzalo Higuain: Real Madrid striker completes move to Napoli|date=27 July 2013|publisher=BBC}} respectively, at the start of the season to secure spots for Luka Modrić and Karim Benzema in the first team. Pérez also brought in Welsh footballer and PFA Player of the Year{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/22331030|title=Gareth Bale wins PFA Player of Year and Young Player awards|date=28 April 2013|publisher=BBC}} Gareth Bale, purchased from Tottenham Hotspur for a fee reported to be in the £86 million range, yet again breaking the world record.{{cite web|last=Hodgson|first=Andy|date=2013-09-24|title=The £86m bargain: Gareth Bale has come cheaply insists Real Madrid|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/the-ps86m-bargain-gareth-bale-has-come-cheaply-insists-real-madrid-chief-8836458.html|access-date=2021-04-21|website=www.standard.co.uk|language=en}} Two promising Spanish talents, playmaker Isco{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/23083749|title=Isco: Real Madrid agree deal for Manchester City target|date=27 June 2013|publisher=BBC}} and holding midfielder Asier Illarramendi,{{cite web|title=Real Madrid reveal €32.19 million Illarra fee {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2013/07/12/4112360/real-madrid-reveal-3219-million-illarra-fee?ICID=CP_124|access-date=2021-04-21|website=www.goal.com}} were also bought by Pérez prior to the start of the season. The following season proved to be a resounding success, as Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey and its tenth Champions League title.{{cite web |date=26 May 2014 |access-date=6 January 2023 |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2075051-real-madrid-claims-la-decima-with-champions-league-win-over-atletico-madrid |work=bleacher report |title=Real Madrid Claims 'La Decima' with Champions League Win over Atletico Madrid}}
File:Carmena reivindica el urbanismo de consenso en la presentación del nuevo Santiago Bernabéu 04.jpg Manuela Carmena in 2019, presenting the New Santiago Bernabéu]]
During the 2014 summer transfer window, Pérez brought in 2014 FIFA World Cup stars James Rodríguez,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/22/james-rodriguez-signs-real-madrid-monaco|title=James Rodríguez signs for Real Madrid for a reported £63m|author=Guardian Staff|date=22 July 2014|work=The Guardian}} Toni Kroos,{{cite news|title=Real Madrid sign Bayern's Kroos|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28342137|access-date=2021-04-21}} and Keylor Navas{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/03/real-madrid-confirm-keylor-navas-signing|title=Real Madrid confirm signing of Costa Rica's goalkeeper Keylor Navas|agency=Press Association|date=3 August 2014|work=The Guardian}} to Real Madrid for a combined cost of £95 million, as well as Javier Hernández, who was loan from Manchester United. As a result of the mounting competition for starting spots and wage disputes, Di María left the club for Manchester United for a British record transfer fee of £60 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/28926665|title=Angel Di Maria: Man Utd pay British record £59.7m for winger|date=26 August 2014|publisher=BBC}} Xabi Alonso also left during this transfer window to join Bayern Munich.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/28964916|title=Xabi Alonso: Bayern Munich sign Real Madrid player|date=29 August 2014|publisher=BBC}} In January 2015, Pérez demonstrated his success in the transfer market when Real Madrid signed the 16-year-old Norwegian Martin Ødegaard, as many other European clubs, including Bayern, Barcelona, and Arsenal, were also interested in Ødegaard.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
Later on, Real Madrid, coached by former player Frenchman Zinedine Zidane, proceeded to win three consecutive Champions League titles in 2015–16, 2016–17 and 2017–18, a feat that hasn’t been achieved since Bayern Munich had won their third consecutive title in 1975–76.{{cite web |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/sobre-el-real-madrid/el-club/historia/presidentes/florentino-perez |title=Florentino Pérez |website=realmadrid.com }} In 2019, Pérez revealed the plans to renovate the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.{{cite web |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2019/04/florentino-perez-the-santiago-bernabeu-will-be-the-best-stadium-in-the-world |title=Florentino Pérez: "The Santiago Bernabéu will be the best stadium in the world" |website=realmadrid.com |date=2 April 2019 }}
In the 2019–20 season, Real Madrid won their 34th La Liga title, which was their fifth title under Pérez and second title under coach Zidane.{{cite web|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2020/07/16/2-1-laliga-champions|title=2–1: LaLiga champions!|publisher=Real Madrid C.F.|date=16 July 2020}} In the 2021–22 season, Real Madrid won their sixth La Liga and sixth Champions League title under Pérez, and he equalled the Champions League record of Santiago Bernabéu.{{cite news |url=https://www.cope.es/deportes/futbol/champions-league/noticias/florentino-perez-iguala-las-seis-copas-europa-santiago-bernabeu-20220529_2110002 |title=Florentino Pérez iguala las seis Copas de Europa de Santiago Bernabéu |website=cope.es |language=es |date=28 May 2022 }}
In the 2021–22 season, with the return of Carlo Ancelotti as coach, Real Madrid achieved a historic double: winning the La Liga title and winning its 14th Champions League, totaling 35 league titles.{{Cite web |last=RTVE.es |date=2022-04-30 |title=El Madrid gana su 35ª liga con una goleada al Espanyol |url=https://www.rtve.es/deportes/20220430/real-madrid-campeon-liga/2345140.shtml |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=RTVE.es |language=es}} In addition, Real Madrid won its fifth European Super Cup.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-10 |title=La rutina celestial del Real Madrid: se embolsa su quinta Supercopa de Europa |url=https://www.elmundo.es/deportes/futbol/2022/08/10/62f41ef2e4d4d8e52d8b456d.html |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es}} In the same year, Real Madrid Club de Baloncesto won the ACB League and the Spanish Super Cup.{{Cite web |last=Maestre |first=Mike |date=2022-09-26 |title=Real Madrid, campeón de la Supercopa de España: los blancos ganan su noveno título |url=https://as.com/baloncesto/acb/real-madrid-barcelona-en-directo-supercopa-de-espana-de-baloncesto-hoy-en-vivo-n/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Diario AS |language=es}}
In the 2022–23 season, Real Madrid won the final of the Copa del Rey at La Cartuja in Seville, obtaining its twentieth title after nine years without winning the trophy. The team also reached the semifinals of the Champions League where it was eliminated by Manchester City, and finished second place in La Liga behind Barcelona, despite maintaining a larger points difference. At the same time, Real Madrid was crowned champion of the Euroleague Basketball League in the same season, thus winning its eleventh title in this continental competition.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-21 |title=El Real Madrid, campeón de la Euroliga |url=https://www.europapress.es/deportes/baloncesto-00163/noticia-real-madrid-campeon-euroliga-20230521205801.html |access-date=2024-03-25 |publisher=Europa Press}}
Currently, Pérez simultaneously holds the role of president of the renowned Real Madrid.{{Cite web |title=Real Madrid CF {{!}} Web Oficial del Real Madrid CF |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/es-ES/el-club/historia/presidentes/florentino-perez |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Real Madrid CF {{!}} Web Oficial del Real Madrid CF |language=es}} His relationship with the club, considered the best of the 20th century, has materialized in two periods in which he has managed to harmonize his business work with the management of the football institution.{{Cite web |date=2009-09-10 |title=El Real Madrid, elegido mejor club del siglo XX en Europa, según la IFFHS |url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/madrid-mejor-europa-514455/0/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=www.20minutos.es - Últimas Noticias |language=es}}
During his tenure as president of Real Madrid, Pérez has established a legacy characterized by consistently high economic revenues. The club has maintained its position as the global leader in current revenue for over ten consecutive years. Additionally, Pérez's management has had a notable impact on the sporting front, with Real Madrid winning the prestigious European Cup seven times, adding to a total of fifteen trophies in the club's collection.
Additionally, Forbes has recognized Real Madrid as the most valuable sports club in the world, with Los Blancos having a value of US$6.07 billion.{{Cite web |last=Teitelbaum |first=Mike Ozanian y Justin |date=2023-05-31 |title=Lista Forbes {{!}} El Real Madrid repite como equipo de fútbol más valioso del mundo: esta es la lista completa |url=http://forbes.es/listas/287987/lista-forbes-el-real-madrid-repite-como-equipo-de-futbol-mas-valioso-del-mundo-esta-es-la-lista-completa/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Forbes España |language=es}}
In the 2023–24 season, Real Madrid clinched their 36th La Liga title in total and seventh Champions League title during his presidency, surpassing Santiago Bernabéu's Champions League record.{{cite web |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/articles-video/florentino-p%C3%A9rez-surpasses-santiago-bernab%C3%A9u-s-legacy-at-real-madrid-2024-06-01 |title=Florentino Pérez Surpasses Santiago Bernabéu's Legacy at Real Madrid |publisher=beIN SPORTS |date=1 June 2024 }} In January 2025, Pérez was re-elected as club's president until 2029.{{cite web |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/la-liga/articles-video/florentino-p%C3%A9rez-real-madrid-president-until-2029-2025-01-19 |title=Florentino Pérez: Real Madrid President Until 2029 |publisher=beIN SPORTS |date=19 January 2025 }}
European Super League
In April 2021, Pérez was named the first chairman of the Super League,{{cite web|title=The Super League - Press Release|url=https://thesuperleague.com/press.html|date=19 April 2021|website=The Super League|accessdate=11 June 2021}} a breakaway league involving some of Europe's largest football clubs. According to The New York Times, Pérez "had been the driving force behind much of it; it was, to some extent, his brainchild."{{cite news|last1=Panja|first1=Tariq|last2=Smith|first2=Rory|date=22 April 2021|title=How the Super League Fell Apart|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/sports/soccer/super-league-soccer.html|accessdate=10 June 2021|issn=0362-4331}} Spearheaded by Pérez and Andrea Agnelli of Juventus, the Super League was in the works for three years; however, the final phases were rushed and the allegiance among the twelve clubs, instead of the original fifteen, seemed to have been forged under pressure. The announcement was poorly planned and the coalition, liable to break under pressure, came apart quickly.{{cite web |title=Florentino Pérez: the emperor who wanted more but lost for once |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/22/florentino-perez-the-emperor-who-wanted-more-but-lost-for-once |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210423100535/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/22/florentino-perez-the-emperor-who-wanted-more-but-lost-for-once |date=22 April 2021 |archive-date=23 April 2021 |last1=Lowe |first1=Sid |work=The Guardian}} Pérez expressed hope that the new competition would "provide higher-quality matches and additional financial resources for the overall football pyramid", provide "significantly greater economic growth and support for European football via a long-term commitment to uncapped solidarity payments which will grow in line with league revenues", appeal to a new younger generation of football fans, and improve VAR and refereeing.{{cite web |title=European Super League: Real Madrid's Florentino Perez defends breakaway plan, says it will save the sport |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/european-super-league-real-madrids-florentino-perez-defends-breakaway-plan-says-it-will-save-the-sport/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420014647/https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/european-super-league-real-madrids-florentino-perez-defends-breakaway-plan-says-it-will-save-the-sport/ |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=20 April 2021 |website=CBSSports|date=20 April 2021 }}{{cite web |last=Wiltse |first=Matt |date=20 April 2021 |title=Florentino Perez' Full Interview regarding The European Super League with El Chiringuito |url=https://www.managingmadrid.com/2021/4/20/22392935/florentino-perez-full-interview-regarding-the-european-super-league-with-el-chiringuito |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420014924/https://www.managingmadrid.com/2021/4/20/22392935/florentino-perez-full-interview-regarding-the-european-super-league-with-el-chiringuito |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=20 April 2021 |website=Managing Madrid}}
The 18 April announcement of the European Super League (ESL) received almost universal opposition from fans, players, managers, politicians and other clubs as well as UEFA, FIFA and national governments.{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Daniel |last2=Ingle |first2=Sean |date=20 April 2021 |title=European Super League: backlash builds against breakaway plan – live! |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/apr/20/european-super-league-backlash-builds-against-breakaway-plan-live |url-status=live |access-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420101821/https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/apr/20/european-super-league-backlash-builds-against-breakaway-plan-live |archive-date=20 April 2021 |issn=0261-3077}} Much of the criticism against the ESL was due to concerns about elitism and the lack of competitiveness within the competition, as it would have consisted of only high-ranking teams from a few European countries.[https://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-champions-league/story/4363871/super-league-is-only-wanted-by-cabal-of-europes-elite-club-owners-fans-have-been-forgotten "Super League is wanted only by a cabal of Europe's elite club owners; fans have been forgotten"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421120935/https://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-champions-league/story/4363871/super-league-is-only-wanted-by-cabal-of-europes-elite-club-owners-fans-have-been-forgotten |date=21 April 2021 }}. ESPN. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.[https://english.elpais.com/sports/2021-04-19/spains-la-liga-slams-plan-for-european-super-league-as-secessionist-and-elitist.html "Spain's LaLiga slams plan for European Super League as 'secessionist and elitist'"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420233426/https://english.elpais.com/sports/2021-04-19/spains-la-liga-slams-plan-for-european-super-league-as-secessionist-and-elitist.html |date=20 April 2021 }}. El Pais English. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021. Backlash against the announcement of the league's formation led to nine of the clubs involved, including all six of the English clubs, announcing their intention to withdraw.{{cite news |last1=Hytner |first1=David |last2=Hunter |first2=Andy |last3=Jackson |first3=Jamie |date=20 April 2021 |title=Chelsea and Manchester City quit Super League after FA ban warning |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/20/chelsea-and-manchester-city-quit-super-league-after-fa-ban-warning |url-status=live |access-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210420213648/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/20/chelsea-and-manchester-city-quit-super-league-after-fa-ban-warning |archive-date=20 April 2021}} The remaining members of the ESL subsequently announced they would "reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project" following the departure of the other clubs.{{cite news |date=21 April 2021 |title=European Super League will 'reconsider steps to reshape' as English clubs leave |work=The Athletic |url=https://theathletic.com/news/european-super-league-latest/lavycpCOU7Yx |url-status=live |access-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421000557/https://theathletic.com/news/european-super-league-latest/lavycpCOU7Yx |archive-date=21 April 2021}} Three days after its founding, the ESL announced that it was suspending its operations.{{cite web |date=21 April 2021 |title=Super League suspended: Why English clubs pulled out, and what's next for them and UEFA |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-marcottis-musings/story/4365465/super-league-suspended-why-english-clubs-pulled-outwhats-next-for-them-and-uefa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421020444/https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-marcottis-musings/story/4365465/super-league-suspended-why-english-clubs-pulled-outwhats-next-for-them-and-uefa |archive-date=21 April 2021 |access-date=21 April 2021 |website=ESPN}}
Commentators argued that the ESL could render domestic competitions as irrelevant and lower tier compared to the Super League, and it would undermine promotion and relegation systems; Pérez later countered this with claims that the ESL would have a system of promotion and relegation. Pérez alleged that Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Paris Saint-Germain, which were reportedly sought out by the ESL and gave them between 14 and 30 days to join{{cite news |last1=Wulzinger |first1=Michael |last2=Winterbach |first2=Christoph |last3=Pfeil |first3=Gerhard |last4=Buschmann |first4=Rafael |title=Super League: Bayern München und Borussia Dortmund sollen Gründungsmitglieder werden |url=https://www.spiegel.de/sport/super-league-bayern-muenchen-und-borussia-dortmund-sollen-gruendungsmitglieder-werden-a-3492f301-7f3d-4bc6-8860-6205858e2eb5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420063000/https://www.spiegel.de/sport/super-league-bayern-muenchen-und-borussia-dortmund-sollen-gruendungsmitglieder-werden-a-3492f301-7f3d-4bc6-8860-6205858e2eb5 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=20 April 2021 |website=Der Spiegel|date=19 April 2021 |language=de}}{{cite news |date=20 April 2021 |title='Perez lied'. Leaked document shows how many days Bayern, PSG, and BVB have left to join the Super League |work=Tribuna |url=https://tribuna.com/en/news/2021-04-20-perez-lied-leaked-document-shows-how-many-days-bayern-psg-and-bvb-have-left-to-join-the-s/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420210637/https://tribuna.com/en/news/2021-04-20-perez-lied-leaked-document-shows-how-many-days-bayern-psg-and-bvb-have-left-to-join-the-s/ |archive-date=20 April 2021}} but who rejected involvement in the competition and publicly condemned the concept,{{cite web |date=20 April 2021 |title=Bayern, PSG reject Super League for UEFA CL |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/uefa-champions-league/story/4365203/bayernpsg-reject-super-league-in-favour-of-champions-league |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420174810/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/uefa-champions-league/story/4365203/bayernpsg-reject-super-league-in-favour-of-champions-league |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=20 April 2021 |website=ESPN}}{{cite web |last=Joyce |first=Ben |date=19 April 2021 |title=Capitalist Greed Created the European Super League |url=https://jacobinmag.com/2021/04/european-super-league-football-eca-uefa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420192951/https://jacobinmag.com/2021/04/european-super-league-football-eca-uefa |archive-date=20 April 2021 |website=Jacobin |access-date=21 April 2021}} had not been invited. Pérez cited the European basketball EuroLeague as an inspiration and stated that the EuroLeague saved European basketball, and the Super League would do the same for football.{{cite web|last=Feehely|first=Alan|date=20 December 2020|title=Florentino Perez on European Super League: 'The pandemic has changed everything'|url=https://www.football-espana.net/2020/12/20/florentino-perez-on-european-super-league-the-pandemic-has-changed-everything|accessdate=3 June 2021|website=Football Espana}}{{cite web|last=Wiltse|first=Matt|date=20 April 2021|title=Florentino Perez' Full Interview regarding The European Super League with El Chiringuito|url=https://www.managingmadrid.com/2021/4/20/22392935/florentino-perez-full-interview-regarding-the-european-super-league-with-el-chiringuito|accessdate=3 June 2021|website=Managing Madrid}}{{cite web|date=22 April 2021|title=Real Madrid president Perez: EuroLeague saved [European] basketball|url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1197674/real-madrid-president-perez-euroleague-saved-european-basketball/|accessdate=3 June 2021|website=Eurohoops}}
After the backlash and withdrawals, Pérez stated that none of the founding clubs had officially left the association,{{cite news |title=European Super League: Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says plans are not 'dead' despite withdrawals |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12283442/european-super-league-real-madrid-president-florentino-perez-says-plans-are-not-dead-despite-withdrawals |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210422134046/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12283442/european-super-league-real-madrid-president-florentino-perez-says-plans-are-not-dead-despite-withdrawals |date=22 April 2021 |access-date=22 April 2021 |archive-date=22 April 2021 |last=Shread |first=Joe |work=Sky Sports}} as they were tied to binding contracts,{{cite news |title=European Super League: Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says 'binding contracts' mean founding clubs cannot leave |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12285533/european-super-league-real-madrid-president-florentino-perez-says-binding-contracts-mean-founding-clubs-cannot-leave |date=24 April 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210424135453/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12285533/european-super-league-real-madrid-president-florentino-perez-says-binding-contracts-mean-founding-clubs-cannot-leave |archive-date=24 April 2021 |agency=Reuters |via=Sky Sports}} and vowed to work with the governing bodies to make some form of the Super League work. Whilst blaming the English clubs of losing their nerve in face of opposition and the footballing authorities for acting unjustifiably aggressively,{{cite news |title=Florentino Pérez blames one breakaway English club for Super League's collapse |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/22/on-standby-defiant-florentino-perez-insists-super-league-is-far-from-dead |archive-date=22 April 2021 |date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210422090023/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/22/on-standby-defiant-florentino-perez-insists-super-league-is-far-from-dead |work=The Guardian |last1=Lowe |first1=Sid}} Pérez insisted that the Super League project was merely on standby and not over.{{cite news |title=European Super League: Project is 'on standby', says Real Madrid president Florentino Perez |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56842442 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210422110100/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56842442 |archive-date=22 April 2021 |date= 22 April 2021 |work=British Broadcasting Corporation}} In response to UEFA's sanctions and possible Real Madrid's exclusion from UEFA competitions, among the other clubs involved, Pérez said that this would be "impossible" and that the law protects them.{{cite web |last=Rapp |first=Timothy |title=Real Madrid's Florentino Perez Defends Super League Proposal amid Backlash |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2940487-real-madrids-florentino-perez-defends-super-league-proposal-amid-backlash |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420014508/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2940487-real-madrids-florentino-perez-defends-super-league-proposal-amid-backlash |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=19 April 2021 |website=Bleacher Report}}{{cite web |date=20 April 2021 |title=Perez: UCL won't kick out Super League teams |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/real-madrid/story/4364933/real-madrids-perez-says-uefa-wont-kick-super-league-teams-out-of-champions-league |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420122736/https://www.espn.com/soccer/real-madrid/story/4364933/real-madrids-perez-says-uefa-wont-kick-super-league-teams-out-of-champions-league |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=20 April 2021 |website=ESPN}}
On 31 May, the Super League filed a complaint to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) against UEFA and FIFA for their proposals to stop the organization of the competition.{{cite news|date=13 May 2021|title=Soccer-Madrid judge asks top EU Court to decide on Super League legality|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-europe-breakaway-idUSL1N2N00R3|accessdate=1 June 2021}} On June 7, the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police notified the Spanish precautionary measure, which had earlier issued an injunction against UEFA and FIFA, and referred a cuestión preliminar (English: preliminary question) to the CJEU on whether UEFA and FIFA have violated articles 101 and 102 of the TFEU,{{cite web|title=Super League-UEFA, the clash arrives at the EU Court of Justice|url=https://www.italy24news.com/business/50688.html|date=13 May 2021|website=Italy24 News Sport|access-date=11 June 2021|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518170459/https://www.italy24news.com/business/50688.html|url-status=dead}} to both governing bodies, ruling them to not execute sanctions against clubs still active in the project, including Real Madrid.{{cite news|date=7 June 2021|title=UEFA y FIFA no pueden tomar represalias contra los clubes de la Superliga|publisher=Cadena Ser|url=https://www.cadenaser.com/programa/2021/06/07/carrusel_deportivo/1623019964_535881.amp.html|accessdate=7 June 2021|language=es|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607010747/https://cadenaser.com/programa/2021/06/07/carrusel_deportivo/1623019964_535881.amp.html|url-status=dead}} On 15 June, it was officially confirmed Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus were admitted to the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League.{{cite news|title=Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus admitted to Champions League next season|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-champions-league/story/4410038/real-madridbarcelonajuventus-admitted-to-champions-league-next-season|agency=Reuters|website=ESPN|date=15 June 2021|accessdate=22 June 2021}}
On 31 January 2014 Pérez announced the winning project of the competition to design the new Santiago Bernabéu.{{Cite web |last=@nuevobernabeu |date=2014-01-30 |title=OFICIAL: PRESENTACION NUEVO ESTADIO BERNABEU - Nuevo Estadio Bernabéu |url=https://www.nuevoestadiobernabeu.com/noticias/oficial-presentacion-nuevo-estadio-bernabeu/,%20https://www.nuevoestadiobernabeu.com/noticias/oficial-presentacion-nuevo-estadio-bernabeu/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |language=es}} The new stadium is enveloped by a roof with an LED system that vibrates and allows the stadium to communicate with its surroundings and the eastern façade features a giant screen to show the inside of the stadium at special moments. This sustainable project is also equipped with the latest technological advances, making it safer and more comfortable for fans.{{Cite web |last=MarcaTV |date=2017-09-14 |title=La recreación del nuevo Bernabéu que se presentó en 2014 |url=https://videos.marca.com/v/0_7i4cf3bl-la-recreacion-del-nuevo-bernabeu-que-se-presento-en-2014 |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=MarcaTV |language=es}}
The new Bernabéu is also planned to include commercial, leisure, and restaurant areas as well as hotel parking and subway parking; the works are designed to allow construction to take place without disrupting the sporting calendar.
In July 2021, the media El Confidencial published audio of Pérez in which he included a series of remarks towards some players.{{cite web |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2021/07/14/60eef1aa46163fdbb58b45e1.html |title=Florentino Perez to sue Jose Antonio Abellan and El Confidencial |website=Marca |date=14 July 2021 }} However, Real Madrid had issued a statement claiming that the leaks came at a time when Pérez was involved in promoting the Super League.{{cite web |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/noticias/2021/07/13/comunicado-del-presidente-del-real-madrid |title=Comunicado del presidente del Real Madrid |website=Real Madrid |language=es |date=13 July 2021 }} At a later date, the court of first instance number 42 of Madrid considered that Florentino Pérez's right to honour was violated by broadcasting the recordings and prohibiting the media from publishing any audio that directly affects him.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-07 |title=La jueza condena a 'El Confidencial' por publicar los audios de Florentino |url=https://as.com/futbol/primera/el-juez-condena-a-el-confidencial-por-publicar-los-audios-de-florentino-n/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Diario AS |language=es}}
In 2022, an unauthorized biography titled El poder del palco was published about Pérez, in which the Spanish journalist Fonsi Loaiza explores the role of the Santiago Bernabeu VIP area in Pérez's business success, highlighting his network of connections.{{Cite web |title=Florentino Perez, the power of the box |url=https://thediplomatinspain.com/en/2022/07/florentino-perez-the-power-of-the-box-by-fonsi-loaiza}}
At the first home game of the 2023–24 season, against Getafe, the new renovations of the Santiago Bernabéu, including the retractable roof, were unveiled for the first time. Although work on the new stadium was expected to be completed in 2024, the final cost is estimated at around €1.17 billion, more than double the initial estimate (€525 million).{{Cite web |last=Calonge |first=Lorenzo |date=2023-11-11 |title=El Real Madrid pide un tercer crédito de 370 millones para el Bernabéu y eleva la financiación de las obras a 1.170 |url=https://elpais.com/deportes/futbol/2023-11-11/el-real-madrid-pide-un-tercer-credito-de-370-millones-para-el-bernabeu-y-eleva-la-financiacion-de-las-obras-a-1170.html |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=El País |language=es}} However, Florentino Pérez emphasized that the new stadium will become one of the city's main tourist destinations and the epicenter of major events in Europe.
During December 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that FIFA and UEFA's rules on the prior authorization of club soccer competitions, such as the Super League, violate EU law. The court stated that UEFA and FIFA abused their "dominant position" by threatening the clubs involved in the Super League with sanctions. This affected several clubs, such as the Real Madrid, which backed the project in Spain along with other well-known clubs.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-21 |title=La justicia europea falla a favor de la Superliga |url=https://efe.com/deportes/2023-12-21/tjue-superliga-futbol/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=EFE Noticias |language=es-ES}}{{Cite web |last=Castro |first=Irene |date=2023-12-21 |title=La Justicia europea avala la Superliga frente al veto de la UEFA y la FIFA |url=https://www.eldiario.es/economia/justicia-europea-avala-superliga-frente-veto-uefa-fifa_1_10784774.html |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=elDiario.es |language=es}}
Personal life
Pérez married María de los Ángeles Sandoval Montero in 1970 and they had 3 kids: Eduardo, Florentino, and María Ángeles. His wife passed away on 23 May 2012, aged 62, due to a heart attack.{{cite web |url=http://www.hola.com/famosos/2012052358655/florentino-perez-mujer-maria-angeles-sandoval-pitina-muere |title=Las condolencias se suceden sin descanso tras el fallecimiento de María Ángeles Sandoval 'Pitina', esposa de Florentino Pérez |website=hola.com |language=es |date=23 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525183226/http://www.hola.com/famosos/2012052358655/florentino-perez-mujer-maria-angeles-sandoval-pitina-muere |archive-date=25 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, Pérez tested positive on 2 February 2021, but had no symptoms.{{cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2021/02/02/60193f0522601dde528b4567.html|title=Florentino Perez tests positive for COVID-19|date=2 February 2021|publisher=Marca}}
Honours
- Football:
- La Liga: 2000–01, 2002–03, 2011–12, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2023–24
- Copa del Rey: 2010–11, 2013–14, 2022–23
- Supercopa de España: 2001, 2003, 2012, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2024
- UEFA Champions League: 2001–02, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2021–22, 2023–24
- UEFA Super Cup: 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2024
- Intercontinental Cup: 2002
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022
- FIFA Intercontinental Cup: 2024
- Basketball:
- Liga ACB: 2004–05, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22, 2023–24
- Copa del Rey de Baloncesto: 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2024
- Supercopa de España de Baloncesto: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- EuroLeague: 2014–15, 2017–18, 2022–23
- FIBA Intercontinental Cup: 2015
Awards
- 85px Grand Cross of the Order of the Second of May (2011)
- Golden Foot Prestige: 2022
- Special Career Award: 2024
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Real Madrid CF presidents}}
{{Golden Foot Prestige Award}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perez, Florentino}}
Category:Businesspeople from Madrid
Category:Polytechnic University of Madrid alumni
Category:Madrid city councillors (1979–1983)
Category:Union of the Democratic Centre (Spain) politicians
Category:Real Madrid CF presidents
Category:Spanish civil engineers