Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez delivered a controversial press conference in Madrid yesterday evening, broadcast live by several television channels. The event, his first in eleven years, saw Pérez display disorganised papers, struggle to find articles on his phone, and launch personal attacks against journalists, according to Nació Digital. He also cancelled his subscription to the newspaper Abc live on air and attempted to leave twice before returning.
Pérez, often referred to as 'the superior being' or 'King Midas' by both supporters and opponents, presented a disjointed speech. He made misogynistic comments, accused unnamed individuals of being 'bad', 'ugly', and 'intellectuals of the regime', and claimed that a 'systemically corrupt' FC Barcelona had stolen league titles from Real Madrid. The press conference was called to announce his intention to run for re-election, stating he would do so 'in defence of the club and its members'. This comes 26 years after he first became president, overseeing the 'Galácticos' era, Cristiano Ronaldo, the BBC attacking trio, and José Mourinho, winning seven Champions League titles but fewer league titles.
Pérez's Unfiltered Appearance
The press conference exposed Pérez's personal struggles, showing what can happen to a 79-year-old individual consumed by power who believes he can challenge everyone. Nació Digital stated that Pérez appears to lack anyone among his trusted staff, board colleagues, or family members to restrain him or offer guidance. This situation, while currently affecting the Real Madrid president, has also been observed in politicians, artists, and business leaders who accumulate significant power or fame over extended periods. Such an appearance, marked by surreal attacks, repetitions, egomania, authoritarianism, and a lack of self-criticism, is unsustainable. Journalists present described the faces of club staff as 'a poem', indicating widespread dissatisfaction. Even traditionally supportive media outlets did not defend his conduct.
Comparisons were drawn to Donald Trump's public appearances and Josep Lluís Núñez's angry press conference after dismissing Johan Cruyff from FC Barcelona. Pérez, however, seems determined to resist his end, positioning himself as the sole saviour of the Spanish capital's main club. In football, passion and the unpredictable bounce of a ball often outweigh reason. Pérez has benefited from this, using his status as a prominent businessman and his influence at the Bernabéu's executive box to command respect and deter adversaries.
Club Ownership and Public Reaction
Despite Pérez's actions, Nació Digital repeatedly reminded readers that Real Madrid, like FC Barcelona, belongs to its members, who should have the ultimate say. The situation, according to the publication, mirrors Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale 'The Emperor's New Clothes', where the king is revealed to be unclothed. The press conference concluded a poor season for Real Madrid, which has gone two seasons without a title and was marked by internal dressing room conflicts in the week they lost the league at Camp Nou.
In related news, teachers' demands in Catalonia have gained public support. A large demonstration yesterday morning in Barcelona highlighted a contrast in public reaction: some residents were more annoyed by streets being closed for a labour protest than for FC Barcelona's league celebration earlier in the week. Some even confronted the demonstrators. Tourists were also seen photographing and videoing the protest, treating it as another city attraction. Meanwhile, the conservative Madrid newspaper Abc, which Pérez attacked during his press conference, published an editorial stating they would continue to report on the club, even if it displeased the president. Abc had previously reported that Pérez was 'tired', clarifying that this referred to his 'political, institutional, and even physical exhaustion' rather than health issues.
Doctoral Theses in Catalan Universities
Only one in ten doctoral theses at Catalan universities are written in Catalan, including those by local doctoral candidates. The Catalan government has introduced a new aid programme, published yesterday in the DOGC (Official Gazette of the Government of Catalonia), to encourage more doctoral theses to be published in Catalan. The maximum grant available is €1,000.
