Florentino Perez gave an interview to Jose Ramon de la Morena on Onda Cero’s El Transistor program where he discussed the new Santiago Bernabeu, Ramos, and Zidane’s departures, Ancelotti, revitalizing the squad, and more.
The full Interview is summarized below
Sergio Ramos
“I love Sergio Ramos like a son. I brought him to Madrid in 2005 — we spent 16 years together. So yes, his farewell was a bad day for me. Why didn’t I join him at the press conference? I never join players at press conferences. Never. Not even when we sign a player — I am part of their presentation, but the press conference is separate.”
“I admire Sergio Ramos, he’s been a legend for us. I love him as if he were my son. I told him that the offer had a deadline and he did not admit it. I will not go into who is right. There are nuances, everyone knows. I am here to talk about the future, not the past. Sergio will return one day in another capacity.”
About Zidane’s departure
“If I was surprised after Zidane’s departure? No, I know him. I expected it after that tough season. Think about it, if you had to do 4 press conferences a week with some of the questions that get asked. It’s tiring. I spent an afternoon trying to convince him. I fought for him to stay, tried to convince him, but he decided to leave.”
“If you ask Zidane the same thing 8 times in each press conference for a whole year, of course he gets tired. I don’t think he has any issue with me. I did not read the letter. I don’t think it was written by him, someone wrote it for him.”
“Zidane has the dream of one day becoming the manager of France. I still love Zidane. If he wants to return, this is still his home.”
When asked about Marcelo, Brahim and Bale
“Marcelo will be our first team captain. It is difficult to find another left back like Marcelo. He and Roberto Carlos have been the best in history.”
“Bale? He’s a great player. When I think of Bale, I think of Kiev. I remember the finals he won us.”
“Brahim Diaz has developed his footballing talent in Milan. If he can’t be here, he will continue to develop there.”
Varane Situation
I don’t know what will happen with Varane. He’s in the Euro’s now and we will talk to him when he returns. We haven’t received any offer for Varane. If he wants to leave, he’ll say it.”
Nuevo Santiago Bernabeu
“The new Santiago Bernabeu will be ready by the end of 2022. The work at the Bernabeu has been planned so that the fans can attend games while the construction continues at the same time.”
Iker Casillas Farewell
“The Casillas thing was not because of me. A minority group whistled at him and it made me feel bad. Things did not go well, I called him and told him that an act had to be done. He had to say goodbye.”
“…these questions are very random. What is the point? Why do you always have to get out what is not important? Why don’t they get the clicks? If Madrid fans are happy with Zidane. Now he brings up the Casillas issue …”
There is a two minute dialogue on the show where Florentino Perez and Jose Ramon de la Morena argue about how bad the questions are that are being asked.
Ancelotti, the current squad, and Mbappe
“Ancelotti was not a third or fourth choice. We never spoke with Conte, Allegri, or Pochettino. We are delighted with the return of Ancelotti and Pintus. A new cycle is starting. We have a great team. Madrid always works to have the best. We have great young people who must be valued.”
“You have to take care of and work with young people. Look at our defense; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; they all arrived very young, as teenagers, and then they became the best defense in Real Madrid’s history. They may come when they are 18, but you must wait and have patience.”
“Mbappé? He’s not a Real Madrid player so I cannot talk about him. I know what the fans want. We are working on a rebuild. You all know who I am. You know what I can do. The people trust me because they know what I can do. They know I bring the best players in the world. Mbappe is a PSG player and that must be respected, you know I cannot talk about him. I won’t talk about Mbappé and Haaland.”
The European Super League
“What failed in the Super League? Nothing, we’re still working. Why should UEFA rule over us? The fans rule football. That’s why we started the Super League, with the 12 clubs with the most fans in Europe. It [a controlling third party like UEFA] doesn’t happen in the NBA, or in tennis tournaments, or in golf tournaments. The Super League is created so that the clubs with the greatest impact could play. And there is room for everyone” .
“There are games that no one watches, and that doesn’t make money. Those that generate more money have to play. It’s an open league where the national leagues will not disappear.”
“You look at the TV audiences for certain games, there are none. The Super League is not closed off to anyone, nor does it want to take away sporting merits, but some teams will have to start. We take those with the most followers because they are the ones who buy the best.”
“The English teams felt pressured by UEFA, and they signed something that they are not allowed to sign. Ceferin tried to kick us out from the Champions League, but the courts told him it’s illegal. And now let’s see what happens. Football lost 8 billion euros, while Ceferin was raising his salary. I have not spoken with Ceferin. They [UEFA] want to maintain their privileges. We lose 800 million and Ceferin increases his salary. In what country do we live?”
Raul
“We needed more experience and Raul is taking it year to year. One day it will happen — he has all the qualities you need to have to coach Real Madrid.”
Luis Campos
“I have read some things in the press, but it is not true. Luis Campos is not affiliated with Real Madrid. He was with Mourinho, but not since then”
