“They’ll have to force me out at gunpoint”: Florentino Pérez says his health is “perfect” amid cancer rumors

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez delivered a fiery, wide-ranging defense of his leadership Tuesday, refusing to resign despite mounting pressure after back-to-back trophyless seasons and announcing new club elections in an effort to secure another mandate from members.

Speaking at the club’s Valdebebas training complex outside Madrid, Pérez accused sections of the Spanish media and figures around the club of orchestrating what he described as a coordinated campaign against both him and Real Madrid.

“I regret to tell you that I am not going to resign,” Pérez said at the start of the press conference. “We are going to call elections, and this board and I will run again. Since 2000, I have worked so the club belongs to its members, unlike other clubs.”

Pérez denies health rumors and attacks critics

The 79-year-old executive said criticism of his leadership had intensified after Real Madrid failed to win a major trophy in consecutive seasons, an unusual drought for Europe’s most successful club.

“An absurd situation has been created because of a campaign against the interests of Madrid, and especially against me,” Pérez said. “The results have not been the best, but they are taking advantage of that to attack me personally.”

Pérez also directly addressed rumors surrounding his health, which had circulated in parts of the Spanish media and online.

“They say I don’t exist anymore, that I have terminal cancer,” he said. “I want to make clear that I continue to run Real Madrid every day, just as I do my company, ACS. My health is perfect.”

He then singled out Spanish newspaper ABC for reporting claims that he was “tired” and considering stepping aside.

“If I look tired, it’s because I work a lot,” Pérez said.

Negreira case takes center stage again

Pérez repeatedly returned to the Negreira case, the ongoing corruption investigation involving payments made by Barcelona to companies linked to former Spanish refereeing official José María Enríquez Negreira.

The Real Madrid president called it “the biggest scandal in football history” and said the club plans to submit a dossier to UEFA.

“It is inconceivable that three years later this still has not been resolved,” Pérez said. “UEFA is going to intervene in this matter. You cannot have a club under suspicion for paying referees for 20 years.”

He went even further, suggesting Real Madrid may have lost titles because of refereeing bias.

“I’ve been here all these years and only won seven Champions Leagues and seven league titles,” Pérez said. “It could have been 14 because they were stolen from us.”

The comments are likely to intensify tensions between Spain’s two biggest clubs and further inflame debate surrounding the Negreira investigation.

Pérez responds to Valverde-Tchouaméni reports

Pérez also addressed reports of an altercation between midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, downplaying the incident while criticizing whoever leaked the story.

“What bothers me more is the leak,” he said. “Players fight every year. Sometimes two players fight, sometimes four. Then the next day they go have coffee together.”

According to Pérez, internal disputes between players are common at elite clubs and should remain private.

“This is the first time in 26 years that I’ve seen something like this become public, and that worries me,” he said.

Elections and ownership concerns

Pérez insisted the upcoming elections are intended to protect Real Madrid’s member-owned structure, which remains one of the defining features separating the club from most European soccer giants.

“There are sectors that want to take ownership of Madrid,” Pérez said. “Journalists, ultras, other interests. While I’m here, the members will remain in control.”

He challenged critics to formally run against him in the election.

“The people who say we are a dictatorship should present themselves,” Pérez said. “Let them compete.”

Despite growing unrest among sections of the fan base, Pérez argued that club members still overwhelmingly support him.

“The members vote for me, not journalists or ultras,” he said.

Mourinho and transfer questions brushed aside

When asked about José Mourinho potentially returning to Real Madrid, Pérez declined to engage.

“We are not at that stage,” he said. “Today is not about football.”

He also refused to discuss possible coaching changes or transfer targets, insisting the focus should remain on the club’s institutional future.

“I came here to defend the ownership of Real Madrid for its members,” Pérez said. “They want me to leave, but I’m not leaving.”

Pérez hits out at fan criticism

The veteran president also criticized supporters who boo their own players during matches, saying modern fan culture around the club has become increasingly toxic.

“Madrid fans should support their players, not whistle at them,” he said. “What is this, the Roman circus?”

Pérez blamed ultra groups and media narratives for fueling negativity inside the stadium.

“If our players are struggling, booing them is like booing your own children,” he said.

“They’ll have to drag me out”

As the press conference became increasingly combative, Pérez portrayed himself as the target of a broader media campaign stretching back decades.

“Some journalists think they have enormous power,” he said. “They don’t. People are smart.”

He ended with one of the strongest lines of the afternoon.

“They’ll have to force me out at gunpoint,” Pérez said. “I have the support of the Real Madrid members.”

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