When Did Florentino Perez Become Madrid President?

By Robert Palmer

Florentino Perez is a renowned name in the football world. The Spanish businessman, entrepreneur, and civil engineer have been at the forefront of Real Madrid’s success since his first stint as president in 2000.

However, when exactly did he become Madrid President? Let’s dive into the timeline of events that led to Perez’s appointment.

First Stint as President

In 2000, Florentino Perez became Madrid President for the first time. He was elected after defeating Lorenzo Sanz in the presidential elections.

During his first tenure, Perez brought in some of the biggest names in football, including Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo. This period is also known for the famous “Galacticos” era, where Real Madrid signed some of the most expensive players of that time.

Resignation and Return

Perez resigned from his position as president in 2006 due to personal reasons. Ramon Calderon took over as president after winning the presidential elections. However, Calderon was engulfed in various scandals during his tenure, which led to him resigning from his position in January 2009.

After Calderon’s resignation, an interim board was appointed to oversee Real Madrid’s operations until new presidential elections were held. In June 2009, Florentino Perez returned to run for president again and won by a landslide victory.

Second Stint as President

Upon returning as president, Perez promised to bring back the “Galacticos” era by signing some of the biggest names in world football. True to his word, he signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United for a then-world record fee of £80 million followed by Kaka from AC Milan for £56 million.

During this second stint as president, Perez oversaw three consecutive Champions League titles for Real Madrid from 2016-2018. He also brought in some of the most promising young talents like Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde to the club.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Florentino Perez became Madrid President for the first time in 2000 and then returned for a second stint in 2009. His leadership and vision have been instrumental in transforming Real Madrid into one of the biggest football clubs in the world. From signing world-class players to developing young talents, Perez’s contribution to Real Madrid’s success cannot be understated.