Florentino Pérez: “Mourinho and Konaté are my first signings”

Florentino Pérez has returned to the election trail some 22 years later. He opened the door to a vote so members can express their opinion and his goal is to secure massive support from committed Madridistas.

A new project is underway, with changes to the squad in an attempt to forget about a poor season. Pérez promises reinforcements and the arrival of key players, as he has always said: “The best in the world”, and adds, “If I am elected president, Konaté will be my first signing and will play for Real Madrid,” he says from his office in a conversation with Diario AS.

What are you finding among members after so long without an election campaign?

The same thing I have always found. First of all, every day I feel the affection and support of Real Madrid members and fans. They all tell me that together we will continue working so Real Madrid becomes even greater. These days I am speaking with many of them and listening to them very carefully, as always. I am collecting many of their proposals and concerns and I will work so that Madridismo remains united. That has been the key to all our successes and to living such a wonderful era. For that reason it is very important that members go to vote on Sunday, that they do not stay at home, because we have a lot at stake in this election.

Do you see members and fans excited about what Florentino Pérez might do?

I always see them excited because they have known me for 26 years and they know what we have done. As president of Real Madrid I have won seven European Cups, something no other president in history has done. I believe, humbly, that over all this time and after everything we have achieved in every sphere—sporting, social and economic—members know that I have something that is not gained quickly, which is credibility.

Is there a message to get Real Madrid fans to believe again in a team that finished the season in a poor manner?

To trust us, as they always have. I assure them we will have a great squad and a very strong team, with new additions. We will strengthen every line of the team to compete for every title.

Forbes says we are the club with the highest revenues in the history of sport”

Florentino Pérez

What have you learned from last season?

I always say that in football and in sport in general, you don’t always win. We did not get the expected results, but we have identified what the problems were. The team could not prepare properly in preseason because of the Club World Cup and that hindered us all year. We had almost 30 injuries in the first part of the season, some of long duration, and that was decisive. It was not the fault of the players or the coaches. It could not be helped due to all those circumstances and we are already working to face the challenges of the new season.

What do you think when the management of a club that has won six Champions Leagues in the last twelve years is questioned?

Members know perfectly well what it is to live through one of the most brilliant periods in our history with no fewer than six European Cups in ten years, which is something no one else has achieved. And beyond the titles, Real Madrid tops all international rankings that evaluate a club’s management. Just a few days ago, Forbes recognized us again as the most valuable football club in the world for the fifth consecutive year. And also as the club with the highest revenues in the history of sport, even surpassing the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL.

Is there talk of changes in management and the club’s ownership?

Since I became president of Real Madrid, my management has always aimed to make the club as strong as possible so it can keep winning, remain independent and so members will always remain the owners of this club. My objective is to do things in a way that the values of Real Madrid are never altered.

With me as president, Madrid will always belong to its members”

Florentino Pérez

Will key players arrive?

You already know me. As long as I remain president, the best players in the world will play here. And next season we will reinforce the team with great players in every line.

Do you already have any signed?

We are working on all these signings. I can already assure you that if I remain president of Real Madrid, one of the world’s great defenders, Konaté, will play for Real Madrid starting next season. And he will not be the only top defender to arrive if I remain at the helm of Real Madrid.

And Nico Paz?

Nico Paz is one of those great players developed in our academy and who today is one of the footballers for whom major European clubs are competing. He had a great season with Como in Italy and we have, as you know, the option to bring him in this year. We will decide together with the coach and the technical staff.

Will more arrive? Fans want important players and also the arrival of some of the so‑called ‘Galácticos’.

More will come. For sure. Everyone who knows me knows that top players want to play for Real Madrid and so do I. And they know I make it happen.

Vinicius wants to stay at Madrid and I want him to stay...”

Florentino Pérez

There is talk of Mourinho… (Hours later, he officially announced on his social networks that he is his chosen coach).

Mourinho is one of the world’s great coaches and he was very important for Real Madrid during his time with us. He was the coach of that famous record breaking league season. He brought the team to very high levels of competitiveness and that was very important for everything that was achieved afterwards. Mourinho and Konaté are my first signings.

Vinicius and his renewal, what is missing?

Vini is one of the best players in the world and he is delighted to be a Madrid player. He was decisive in winning the last two European Cups and he has one year left on his contract. There is still time, but I tell you Vinicius wants to stay at Madrid and I want him to stay.

What is the true version of Mbappé?

Mbappé is also one of the best players in the world. You only have to look at his numbers to see the scale of our player. No one should question the stature of such an extraordinary player. He will give us a lot and will surely succeed at Real Madrid.

Of course Mbappé, Bellingham and Vinicius will remain at Real Madrid”

Florentino Pérez

Will fans and rival supporters continue to see Mbappé, Vinicius and Bellingham play together in the Real Madrid starting line XI?

We are talking about extraordinary players. Players every big club in the world would want and who we are lucky to have at Real Madrid. Of course they will continue at Real Madrid.

You said two weeks ago you felt attacked by the press, do you still think that?

Not by all of the press, obviously. The media do their job and I respect them. But I also say there are journalists and certain media outlets who, as Real Madrid members know, for particular interests attack Real Madrid and do so in collusion with those who run campaigns to destabilize the club and who go beyond all limits.

What do you think of Enrique Riquelme, your rival in the elections to be held this Sunday in Valdebebas?

I respect everyone, but something is clear. They are the sons, brothers‑in‑law and former directors of that board under Ramón Calderón that caused the greatest shame in Real Madrid’s history. Sunday’s election will serve to decide which model of club we want: the model of that sinister era of Real Madrid, or the one we have built since that fateful moment, a Real Madrid that is living one of the most wonderful periods in its 124‑year history.

It is not a guess, but you might like to finish this sentence: Real Madrid is…

Its members. With me as president of Real Madrid it is and always will be owned by its members. I want everyone to know that Real Madrid is a privilege and I will make sure they always feel that way.

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