Florentino Perez talks the Super League, Mbappe, Cristiano and more

Real Madrid and European Super League president, Florentino Perez, went on Spanish TV show El Chiringuito on Monday to discuss plans for the newly announced Super League. He also discussed the possibility of Real Madrid signing Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo’s possible return and Sergio Ramos’ contract situation. This is what he had to say:

Florentino Perez: “The big clubs of England, Spain and Italy have to find a solution to tackle the bad situation that football is experiencing. We’ve come to the conclusion that by replacing Champions League with the Super League, we’ll be able to alleviate the lost income due to the pandemic.”

Florentino Perez: “You have to make profitable income by producing more competitive games. When you have no income other than broadcasting rights, you come up with a solution of producing more attractive games that enable fans from all over the world to watch the big clubs play against each other.”

Florentino Perez: “Real Madrid in two seasons have lost 400 million euros, and that’s just Real Madrid. At Real Madrid we’re in a very bad economic situation. Football is beginning to lose interest, audiences are going down and television rights too, something had to be done, and the pandemic accelerated this process, we’re ruined.”

Florentino Perez: “Same thing happened in the 50’s, UEFA and FIFA were opposed to Bernabéu and the European Cup. What generates more interest? Let the greats play. We’re doing our best for the sport. The Champions League has lost its attraction, we have created the Super League to save football.”

Florentino Perez: “The television rights are what make us money. That money is for everyone. If those at the top have money, it goes to everyone because we buy players from those other clubs and we can be in solidarity. Nobody understands the new format of the Champions League, and I’m sure it’s not enough to save football.”

Florentino Perez: “I don’t own Real Madrid, I joined the club back in 2000 to save it from a very bad economic situation; now we want to save football because the situation is bad, we have to evolve the models.”

Florentino Perez: “Players excluded from International matches/tournaments? That’s not going to happen [laughs]. Threats from UEFA president? Very good. Real Madrid will not be banned from the Champions League. I guarantee it 100%, no one can take us out of the Champions League.”

Florentino Perez: “How is La Liga going to lose value? How is Madrid not going to go with their best against Valencia? In Basketball we play the League and another competition like this which is the Euro League. They can coexist perfectly.”

Florentino Perez: “UEFA has prepared the new format of UCL for 2024. In 2024, we will be dead. We’re not UEFA’s property, they can’t govern us.”

Florentino Perez: “We haven’t invited PSG yet for the Super League. Nor we have invited any German clubs. The fixed 15 clubs will produce a show every week. We’ll not cancel the Super League if PSG and Bayern don’t join – that’s nonsense.”

Florentino Perez: “What UEFA’s president did today was unacceptable, disrespecting Agnelli (Juventus’ president). UEFA has to change.”

Florentino Perez: “This Super League is not a competition for the rich, it’s a competition of solidarity to save football, by great and the modest. We want to start as soon as possible, we want to talk to UEFA and FIFA, but they should not get angry – they better know that.”

Florentino Perez: “The big teams are more attractive, they are the ones who generate the most money. I don’t think it’s more attractive to watch unfamiliar teams. We owe this change to the fans.”

Florentino Perez: “Tebas’ VAR? I’m not too sure about that but the VAR, the referees and everything that surrounds football will be improved in the Super League.”

Florentino Perez: “I want to reassure every footballer out there, they can’t stop you from playing for your National team. Barcelona are in a delicate situation financially, Laporta accepted the proposal instantly. If I had to, I would leave my post as Super League president for Joan Laporta tomorrow. Because of 20 years of experience, I was selected as Super League’s president.”

Florentino Perez: “My players don’t have to worry about anything, no one is taking us out of the Champions League.”

Florentino Perez: “The 12 clubs have signed contracts, no one can leave or withdraw now. We want to start the Super League next season, that’s why we announced.”

Florentino Perez: “I know what LeBron James earns because they make their salaries public but I don’t know what the UEFA president makes. In Madrid we have lowered salaries, I don’t know if they will have lowered them in UEFA.”

Florentino Perez: “It’s not right that in La Liga the modest clubs are earning money and Barca is losing loads of it. We have problems even with our sponsors. Adidas and Emirates have had difficulties (financially), we also have to be in solidarity with them. There are people who think that nothing has happened since the pandemic.”

Florentino Perez: “I reduced my salary because of the pandemic, I don’t think the president of the UEFA or La Liga did that. UEFA does not have a good image throughout it’s history, don’t make me talk.”

Florentino Perez: “If it’s not interesting we might have to shorten the length of a football game. We want to talk to UEFA and FIFA, if they don’t want to – we’ll continue with the Super League. Whenever they don’t want to do anything they go from rich to poor. We will do everything to try to reach a compromise with FIFA or UEFA. If we can’t reach an agreement, we won’t back down. We will continue working even if it takes more time. There could be a second division of Super League, for example.”

Florentino Perez: “There are some matches that I can’t stand to watch. We will be able to watch the best games in world football two days of the week. Without compromising the matches of the respective leagues on the weekends.”

Florentino Perez: “The owner of MARCA is the owner of Torino. I say this to give information and to be transparent. It’s utterly absurd that Ceferin (UEFA president) threatens the players with not playing for their national team.”

Florentino Perez: “I go out with a mask, nobody recognises me and I hear “Presi, sign Mbappé”, I tell them be calm. It’s good, why lie? Madrid must also change, we have won a lot and we must recover the illusion. The world needs to change permanently. I haven’t spoken to Mbappe, at least today [laughs].”

Florentino Perez: “Cristiano isn’t returning to Madrid, he gave us a lot but his return makes no sense.”

Florentino Perez: “Jović and Ødegaard before leaving, lowered their salaries. Many others too, there are people who are supportive of the club. Ramos agreed to drop 10% last year, this year he is in a different situation.”

Florentino Perez: “I love Ramos, but we are in a very bad financial situation at Real Madrid. Nobody puts money into this club. Will he leave the club? I didn’t say that – many things can happen. We will think about it at the end of the season.”

Florentino Perez: “Zidane is the best coach we’ve ever had.”

Florentino Perez: “Vinicius is not for sale.”

Florentino Perez: “When Madrid and Barcelona play, the world is stopped. It’s a luxury that we have here. When United and City play that doesn’t happen.”

Florentino Perez: “Mourinho increased our competitiveness. Of the last 11 Champions we reached 9 semi-finals. That gene to compete, I always appreciate it.”

Florentino Perez: “The new Bernabeu will be ready in the fall of next year.”

Florentino Perez: “Haaland’s father visited our museum. It’s crazy, everyone always has the same reaction, they’ve never seen anything like that.”