Florentino: "We need to recover the hunger to win trophies"
Real Madrid's president opened today's Ordinary General Assembly with special mentions for Luis Enrique's late daughter Xana, Keylor Navas and Pablo Laso.
Real Madrid's Ordinary General Assembly began at 10am on the dot at the Basketball arena in the club's Valdebebas training complex this morning. In attendance were 881 delegate members - less than half of the number who had been called for this Assembly, which got underway with a video compliation of last season's successes. There was very little football in the video presentation (the Club World Cup and Modric's Ballon d'Or, first place in the Deloitte ranking, new signings - Hazard, Rodrygo, Jovic…) but quite a lot of basketball with the Super cup and Liga Endesa triumphs featuring heavily.
The president began his opening speech by remembering the club members who have passed away (Ángel Luis Heras Aguado, Agustín Herrerín) as well as the former players who have left us over the past year (Serena, Pazos, Reyes…). There was also special mentions for the late Spanish skier Blanca Fernández Ochoa and Luis Enrique's daughter Xana, who tragically passed away recently. The latter provoking applause from those in the audience before a minute's silence was observed for those who are no longer with us.
Disappointing season for the football team
"Last season wasn't the one we had hoped for in terms of the football section," Florentino began. "The team went into the season having won everything - even winning the impossible. But we lacked the necessary intensity, it was a difficult season and all of us must be self critical to change the situation around. The challenge is to keep winning on a stage which is becoming more and more complex. We also must endeavour to recover the hunger for trophies after having won 17 titles during the past nine season. We were European champions for 1099 days and spent 1001 days as world champions. This summer we made a great effort to improve a squad full of winners - one which includes the current Ballon d'Or holder and FIFA The Best winner, Luka Modric. On 23 September, FIFA's annual gala will be held and nine players from the current Real Madrid squad are up for a place in the FIFA World XI: Modric, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Varane, Carvajal, Kroos, Casemiro, Hazard and Benzema".
Strengthening the squad
Florentino continued, "We have brought in six new players, reinforcing every part of the team. Among them, Eden Hazard, one of the best players in the world who has brought hope to madridismo, as we witnessed in his presentation at the Santiago Bernabéu and as was acknowledged a few days ago when he was voted best player of the last Europa League. Alongside him, Luka Jovic, Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão, James, Rodrygo have come in, as well as goalkeeper Areola, who arrived to replace our dear Keylor Navas" - the mention of the Costa Rican goalkeeper's name drew more applause from club members.