Real Madrid News
Florentino Perez admits Real Madrid’s relationship with Barcelona is ‘completely broken’
The tension between Real Madrid and Barcelona has reached a new level after Florentino Perez once again launched a fierce attack linked to the ongoing Negreira controversy.
Just hours after his dramatic press conference, Perez appeared for a lengthy interview with Josep Pedrerol, where he maintained the same aggressive tone that had already caused major uproar across Spanish football.
One of the biggest talking points from his earlier appearance had been his strong accusations regarding refereeing in Spain and Barcelona’s historical payments linked to former refereeing vice-president Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
Response to Barcelona
After his explosive press conference, it emerged that Barcelona are carefully studying his comments and considering whether legal action should be taken against the Real Madrid president.
However, rather than stepping back, Perez openly challenged the Catalan club during the interview.
“Barça would do well to sue me. If they think they should, let them do it.”
Perez then continued defending Real Madrid’s position regarding the Negreira affair and insisted the club sees itself as the main victim in the entire situation.
“I found out about the Negreira case three years ago. It wasn’t Madrid who brought it to light, but the tax authorities, who spotted something odd.
“The first to present itself as the aggrieved party is Real Madrid; LaLiga steps in without asking questions – it is an accomplice and an enemy of Madrid.
“And the Referees’ Committee said we should just forget about it,” insisted Florentino.
Asking for UEFA’s help
The Real Madrid president also revealed that the club plans to take its documentation to UEFA and claimed he had already discussed the matter with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
“We will submit all the documentation from these years to UEFA. Ceferin has told me that’s fine, that we are within our rights.
“It’s documentation from the years they paid and those they claim they didn’t, yet the same referees continue to officiate.
“It shows all the points they have blatantly taken away from us. This year, between 16 and 17 points.”
Perez also admitted that relations between Real Madrid and Barcelona have now collapsed completely because of the controversy.
“The relationship with Barça is completely broken. When I found out about this, I didn’t want to have any dealings with a club that has been paying referees for two decades.
“We are the ones who have been wronged.”
Before the interview ended, Perez was also asked about Lamine Yamal. While praising the teenager, he also referenced the current hostility between the two clubs.
“I like him a lot, but now all that’s left is for us to go after him, given the state of relations with Barça.’”
In what will come as a pleasing development for fans, Fabrizio Romano reports that Real Madrid forward Rodrygo could make a comeback from his injury earlier than expected.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international has been out of action since March after suffering an ACL injury during a La Liga game against Getafe.
Due to the complete rupture of the ACL, coupled with associated meniscus damage, it was suggested that the attacker was staring at a lengthy time out on the sidelines and might not return until 2027.
In fact, the forward’s father, Eric Goes, recently stated in an interview that the Real Madrid ace could be back in February next year, just before the business end of the campaign.
Rodrygo could be back in December
However, as per the update from Romano, Rodrygo’s comeback could happen well before that expected date.
Indeed, if things continue to progress at the current rate, the 25-year-old attacker might return to action in December or by January 2027 at the latest.
This will come as a welcome boost for Jose Mourinho & co., considering that Rodrygo is a valuable player for the team.
Even though he had endured a tough spell prior to his form, the Brazilian’s versatility, work rate off the ball, and eye for a goal make him an asset.
Rodrygo eager to be back at his best
The update from Romano further states that Rodrygo feels very grateful to Real Madrid for all the help and support they have given him during this difficult phase of his career.
As such, the Brazilian international has made it a mission to return to action in the best shape possible and make an impact from the get-go.
The attacker has only recently begun working on the pitch with the ball indicating the significant progress he has made on the road to recovery.
And, if there are no setbacks, Real Madrid could recover one of their ace attackers before the end of the current year.
So far in his career, Rodrygo has made 297 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 71 goals. He has a contract with the club until 2028.
