Journalist responds after Florentino Perez launches scathing attack on him during explosive press conference

A journalist has responded after Real Madrid president Florentino Perez verbally attacked him during an emergency press conference.

On Tuesday (May 12), Perez called the briefing before announcing that a fresh round of presidential elections will be held. He also confirmed that he intends to run again, having previously gone unopposed in the last four elections — in 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025.

The first words out of Perez’s mouth were: “I’m sorry to tell you that I’m not going to resign.”

Later in the press conference, he addressed several topics, including rumours about his health, insisting he is in “perfect health”.

He said: “Some people have said I have terminal cancer. I’m still the president of Real Madrid and my company. I’m the president of a company which is a world leader in infrastructure, which has 170,000 employees, makes 5 billion per year, and my health is perfect.”

Perez then turned to what he sees as negative coverage from the Spanish media.

“I don’t understand the Spanish press,” he said. “They’ve overused the ‘let’s see if I leave’ mentality. I’m not going to leave. I’ll be the last member to leave. The members are the owners of Real Madrid.

“If someone wants to run for president, they shouldn’t just threaten; they should actually run and explain how they’ll finance it. They shouldn’t be asking the banks if the president of an electricity company can guarantee a candidacy…”

The 79-year-old also singled out news outlet ABC, which had earlier reported that he was ‘very tired’ due to his demanding role as Real Madrid president.

He continued: “Nobody should expect me to sit idly by, that I’m tired, according to ABC. ABC is a Madrid newspaper, and Real Madrid is the club of the world. I mention ABC because I’m angry about this, but I could say the same about others.

“I preside over a very important company worldwide, with a turnover of 50 billion and 170,000 employees. Why is ABC doing this? Did they see me looking tired here? Starting tomorrow, I’m going to fight with all the shareholders to prevent them from taking ownership.

“Where did it come from that I have cancer? And I didn’t even know… If they want me to leave, I’ll leave when someone comes along and beats me in the elections. If they win the elections, thank God.

“The company belongs to the shareholders, not to a few journalists who I suppose are Atletico Madrid fans.”

ABC journalist responds to Perez rant

Ruben Canizares, a journalist who covers Real Madrid for ABC, has since responded via X.

He wrote: “Florentino Pérez has called a press conference to try to humiliate ABC, the Vocento group, and me. And I wasn’t going to allow it. There are limits that cannot be crossed. Very proud of my work and my newspaper. That is clear.”

Real return to La Liga action against Real Oviedo on May 14, having already seen rivals Barcelona win the title with three matches remaining.