Rafael Nadal breaks silence on Real Madrid presidency hours after wild press conference
Real Madrid are set for presidential elections following a disappointing season, and Rafael Nadal has given a clear verdict on the prospect of standing.
Rafael Nadal has denied reports that he is a candidate to become the next president of Real Madrid. The tennis star spoke out in the aftermath of a stunning press conference from current incumbent Florentino Perez, who adamantly said he would not resign.
There was an assumption that Perez's future was in doubt as he hosted a press conference for the first time since 2018. The 79-year-old has been at the helm since June 2009 and was first elected as president in 2000. Following rumours that he is too tired to carry out his role being carried by Spanish press, Perez has called for new elections and said he would stand again. Nadal is not set to be one of his rivals.
Posting on social media, the tennis legend said: "I have read reports that link me to possible candidacies for the presidency of Real Madrid. I would like to clarify that these reports are not true."
Perez stunned a packed room at Los Blancos' Valdebebas training ground, and it might be no surprise Nadal does not want to stand given the veteran's vicious words. “Good afternoon. I regret to inform you that I’m not going to resign," he said.
“I have made this decision because an absurd situation has been created, driven by campaigns aimed at generating a current of opinion against the interests of Real Madrid, and especially against me.
“They take advantage of the fact that we have had results that were not the best, but this is something we accept because in sports, you don’t always win. This has happened to us many times before, but they exploit these situations to attack me personally.
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“They say: ‘Where is Florentino?’ Normally, I don’t speak. They say I am sick and have terminal cancer. I would like to reassure those concerned about me that every day I continue to preside over Real Madrid and my company, which, I remind you, is a world leader in infrastructure, with 170,000 employees and an annual turnover of 50 billion. My health is perfect because I couldn’t manage both roles without being in perfect health. I don’t know where this rumour came from.
“If they claim I have cancer, I would have to go to an oncology centre for treatment. Do you think that if this were true, it wouldn’t have been reported worldwide? It is not true. They made it up and decided that I am tired. I work tirelessly. I am the first to wake up and the last to go to bed.”
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Perez called on his opponents to criticise openly. "If someone does want to stand for election, this is your opportunity. But don't move in the shadows with publications, news outlets.
"I work hard. I'm up early and I'm the last to go to bed. I understand there's frustration out there.
"But if people have forgotten, we have won 37 titles since I've been in charge. I would like to know the people who are saying these things. In these board of directors, I want whoever who is leaking this to come out."
The Real Madrid boss also harshly criticised La Liga. "And of course, the enemy, La Liga," he added. "We have to battle against La Liga. Corruption in the game, systematic."
