Real Madrid’s season has been marred by poor performances, and instead of addressing the team’s issues, President Florentino Pérez’s recent press conference has sparked even greater controversy. 
Held at the Valdebebas training ground at 4 PM, the two-hour press conference left most fans and media deeply disappointed. The aftermath saw swift backlash from journalists, the sports journalists’ association, and even within the club itself, plunging the La Liga giants into a media storm.
According to *AS* journalist José Félix Díaz, the media had high expectations for Pérez’s speech, given the club’s underwhelming season. They hoped the president would provide a clear analysis of the team’s struggles and outline a future direction. 
However, Pérez failed to deliver any substantive answers. Instead of addressing on-field concerns, he blamed certain media outlets for the team’s problems. He also announced an upcoming board election, seemingly inviting potential candidates after his uncontested re-election last year—despite occasional fan discontent at the Bernabéu, the club’s members still trust the current board.
Pérez stated that the time was not right to discuss sporting matters, but this sentiment only frustrated fans who care most about the team’s performance, squad adjustments, and future direction, not a war between the president and the media.
Notably, Pérez continued his attacks on UEFA, using the word “robbery” for the first time in relation to the Negreira case. Real Madrid has been pushing a 500-page document to have Barcelona excluded from competitions, but the two clubs are at an impasse, leaving the matter for the courts to decide. The issue centers on Barcelona’s alleged payments to former refereeing official José María Enríquez Negreira, which Madrid has strongly opposed. Yet Pérez missed the chance to elaborate on this crucial topic. 
The disappointing press conference drew sharp criticism from media figures. Spanish journalist Alfredo Relaño, speaking on COPE radio, sarcastically described it as “a Trump-style speech with Biden’s lack of energy.” He noted that Pérez failed to leverage the Negreira case or recent controversial moments in the Clásico, where a Real Madrid player was elbowed—potentially warranting a penalty and red card—which could have shifted the game’s outcome. Relaño also questioned Pérez’s plan of giving 100,000 euros to each member, calling it hasty and likely requiring asset sales, while ignoring structural reforms. He concluded that Pérez’s speech was “lost in a sea of nonsense.”
The Spanish Sports Journalists Association (AEPD) quickly issued a statement rejecting Pérez’s accusations against journalists, emphasizing that “respectful criticism is a fundamental part of journalism in any democratic society.” Renowned journalist Manolo Lama expressed his disappointment on social media, writing, “Pérez’s speech was disappointing. Now I understand why he hasn’t spoken to the media in ten years.”
Following the press conference, many journalists posted videos criticizing Pérez. One such video by Manolo Lama drew immediate attention: Real Madrid’s first captain, Dani Carvajal, liked it. Just an hour earlier, Lama had posted: “Pérez’s press conference was pathetic. Now I get why he avoided the media for a decade. My god!!” Carvajal’s action was widely interpreted as a sign of disagreement with the president, exposing internal discord at the club.
In summary, Pérez’s press conference not only failed to calm external criticism but also deepened tensions between the club, the media, and the fans, potentially affecting team unity. Just two years ago, Madrid won La Liga and the Champions League; now, their future seems uncertain. By choosing confrontation over addressing sporting issues, Pérez may have secured his position in the short term, but he ignored the real needs of fans. Only by facing the team’s competitive challenges and responding to legitimate expectations can he lead Real Madrid out of this crisis. Otherwise, this farcical press conference will remain a regrettable chapter in the club’s history.