Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid, has taken a clear stance against the recent sale of rival club Atletico Madrid, distancing himself from what he sees as a profit-driven model. In a statement that highlights his long-term vision for the club he leads, Perez emphasized his commitment to the members rather than outside investors.
“I want to hand over the club’s assets to its members, just as I promised. The club belongs to them. I am not like those who took over Atletico Madrid and then sold it to enrich themselves. My mandate comes from the votes of the members, not from ultraliberal funds,” Perez said, referring to the American investment fund Apollo, which acquired a 57% controlling stake in Atletico earlier this year. The deal valued the club at around €2.5 billion.
Perez’s comments underline his ongoing opposition to the increasing corporatization of football clubs, particularly in Spain, where fan-owned models remain a point of pride for institutions like Real Madrid and Barcelona. By contrasting his approach with the Atletico sale, he reinforces his promise to keep Real Madrid under the control of its socios, the club’s registered members.