Does Perez Own Madrid?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re a fan of Real Madrid, you may have heard the phrase “Perez owns Madrid.” It’s a controversial statement that has been thrown around for years, but what does it really mean?

Firstly, let’s start by introducing the main person in question – Florentino Perez. He is a Spanish businessman and the current president of Real Madrid.

Perez first became president in 2000 and served until 2006, during which he oversaw the famous Galacticos era where world-class players such as Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, and David Beckham were signed to the club. Perez returned to the presidency in 2009 and has since been re-elected multiple times.

Now back to the question at hand – does Perez really own Madrid? The answer is no.

While Perez is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures at Real Madrid, he does not personally own the club. Real Madrid is actually owned by its members who are commonly known as “socios”. These socios are essentially stakeholders in the club and elect the president every four years.

However, it’s not difficult to see why people would say “Perez owns Madrid.” Under his leadership, Real Madrid has become one of the most successful football clubs in history with numerous domestic and international titles to their name. Perez has also overseen some of the biggest transfers in football history including Cristiano Ronaldo’s move from Manchester United to Real Madrid for a then-world record fee of £80 million.

In addition to his success on the pitch, Perez has also focused on increasing revenue off the pitch through sponsorships and commercial deals. He was instrumental in creating La Liga’s collective television rights deal which saw an increase in revenue for all teams involved.

Despite his success, Perez is not without controversy. Some fans have criticized him for prioritizing commercial success over sporting success and for his tendency to hire and fire managers frequently. Others have accused him of using his influence to manipulate elections and maintain his grip on the presidency.

In conclusion, while Florentino Perez is a hugely influential figure at Real Madrid, he does not own the club. Real Madrid is owned by its socios who elect the president every four years. However, Perez’s success and controversial leadership style have led to the phrase “Perez owns Madrid” being used to describe his level of influence at the club.