Florentino Pérez Refuses to Step Down, Dismisses Health Rumours Amid Real Madrid Crisis

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez made it crystal clear on Tuesday: he's not going anywhere. "They'll have to force me out at gunpoint," the 79-year-old declared at Valdebebas, following two consecutive trophy-less campaigns.

Rather than addressing calls for his resignation with diplomacy, Pérez went on the attack. He announced upcoming club elections, confirmed his intention to run again, and used the media appearance to settle outstanding grievances with the press, Barcelona, and internal sources leaking information from within the organization.

Setting the record straight on health concerns

Pérez didn't dodge the persistent cancer rumours. "They say I don't exist anymore, that I have terminal cancer. My health is perfect," he stated firmly. He specifically called out Spanish publication ABC for suggesting he appeared fatigued and was considering stepping aside. "If I look tired, it's because I work a lot," the president responded.

Barcelona's Negreira scandal takes centre stage

The press conference took a dramatic turn when Pérez addressed the ongoing corruption investigation into Barcelona's payments to companies connected to former refereeing official José María Enríquez Negreira. He labeled it "the biggest scandal in football history" and revealed that Real Madrid is compiling evidence for UEFA.

Three years into the investigation with no resolution, Pérez questioned how a club suspected of paying referees for two decades can continue operating without consequences.

He didn't stop there. "I've been here all these years and only won seven Champions League titles and seven league championships. It could have been 14 because they were stolen from us," Pérez claimed. Whether you view this as legitimate grievance or conspiracy theory depends on your perspective, but it's guaranteed to intensify the Barcelona-Madrid rivalry heading into next season.

Internal conflict and the leak problem

When asked about the reported confrontation between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, Pérez downplayed the incident itself. Players argue, they reconcile over coffee the next day, and move forward. The real issue? Someone leaked it to the media.

"This is the first time in 26 years that I've seen something like this become public," he said. For a president who prizes institutional discretion, discovering a mole within the organization represents the true crisis.

Mourinho speculation and election challenge

Pérez quickly dismissed speculation linking José Mourinho to a potential return. "We are not at that stage. Today is not about football." He avoided all transfer discussion, instead framing the entire press conference as a defence of Real Madrid's member-owned structure.

"There are sectors that want to take ownership of Madrid," Pérez warned. "While I'm here, the members will remain in control."

He challenged his critics to formally oppose him in the upcoming election rather than complaining from the sidelines. So far, no one has publicly accepted that challenge.

With two trophy-less seasons, growing supporter discontent, confirmed dressing room tension, and a president defiantly refusing to budge, Real Madrid's off-pitch drama shows no signs of settling down. The institutional instability at the Bernabéu remains a significant factor for anyone evaluating the club's prospects for the upcoming campaign.