Real Madrid News
La Liga president accuses Real Madrid of theatre amid Negreira controversy – ‘Don’t let them spin the story’
The long-running Negreira case has once again ignited tensions at the very top of Spanish football, with a public and unusually sharp exchange between La Liga president Javier Tebas and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
After Perez voiced strong criticism regarding what he described as “passivity” in the judicial handling of the case, Tebas took his time before responding.
When he finally did, his reply was anything but restrained.
Using his personal X account, the La Liga president directly addressed Perez and dismissed his claims with a tone that left little room for interpretation.
Opening his response, Tebas urged caution against what he views as a distorted version of events.
“Don’t let them spin the story for you, president,” Tebas begins in his post.
A rant from the chief
From there, Tebas moved into a detailed explanation of how judicial procedures actually function, pushing back against the idea that La Liga had failed to act decisively.
“In a legal proceeding, intervention is not at the discretion of the interested party, but in accordance with the legal order of appearance in the proceedings.
“The order was clear and categorical: the prosecutor, Estrada Fernández’s lawyer, LaLiga (although we acted earlier in the prosecutor’s office), and finally, Real Madrid, which was the last to appear.”
Que no te construyan el relato, presidente.
— Javier Tebas Medrano (@Tebasjavier) December 15, 2025
En un proceso judicial, la intervención no es a gusto del interesado, sino conforme al orden legal de personación en el procedimiento. El orden fue claro y rotundo:
El fiscal,
El abogado de Estrada Fernández,
LaLiga (aunque actuamos… pic.twitter.com/FAL7f0ZDwP
Tebas then turned the focus squarely back on Real Madrid, questioning the club’s timing and suggesting that responsibility for any perceived delay lies closer to home.
Addressing Perez directly, he posed a pointed rhetorical question.
“Don’t you remember why you were the last? Passivity, then. By the way, the prosecutor asked 19 questions, Estrada’s lawyer asked two before the question asked by La Liga’s lawyer,” said the La Liga president.
As his statement progressed, Tebas’ language became increasingly forceful.
He underlined that the questions Real Madrid later sought to introduce had already been covered during the testimony of Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde, rendering further intervention redundant.
“And it should be emphasised that the questions that Real Madrid tried to raise afterwards had already been answered by Luis Enrique and Valverde.
“To speak of ‘passivity’ in this context not only disregards the legal proceedings but also disrespects the intelligence of anyone who knows how a court works.
“That is not indignation: it is theatre. La Liga respects the processes, acts when it must, and does not construct narratives. Others, unfortunately, do,” he concluded.t
Real Madrid News
19-year-old Argentine starlet reflects on difficult Real Madrid spell: ‘It wasn’t easy’
When Real Madrid signed Franco Mastantuono from River Plate last summer, he was widely regarded as one of, if not the biggest, South American talents coming through.
Los Blancos fast-tracked him straight into the first team under Xabi Alonso, but the teenager struggled to adapt to life in Madrid.
Mastantuono left on loan to Fiorentina in the summer in a bid to get regular game time away from the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Argentine winger experienced a turbulent campaign at Madrid, working under three different coaches: Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and, very briefly, Jose Mourinho.
A difficult season
Speaking to DSports, Mastantuono admitted his year in Madrid had been challenging but believes the experience ultimately helped his development.
“We all had a difficult season in Madrid. It wasn’t easy,” Mastantuono said.
“These things always help you improve and learn. Fiorentina isn’t about revenge, but an opportunity to show the player I am and help Fiorentina become great again,” he explained.
Rather than viewing this move to Italy as an opportunity to move away from Madrid, he seems keen on using the experience he gained there to succeed in Italy.
Mastantuono embraces the pressure
The Argentine also discussed the demands of representing Real Madrid, something he had already experienced in a different form while playing for River Plate.
“I had the privilege of playing for River and Real Madrid, incredible teams,” he said.
“There is pressure, but it is part of the sport. I like it. For me, it is a game as well as a job, of course,” Mastantuono revealed.
That attitude perhaps explains why Mastantuono has gone searching for game time this season rather than staying at Madrid.
No bad blood over Real Madrid exit
Importantly, Mastantuono dismissed any suggestion that his departure from Real Madrid came following a breakdown in his relationship with the club.
Earlier in the summer, it had emerged that the Argentinian wanted to return to River Plate, which Los Blancos did not agree to.
However, even if that situation actually transpired, it looks like it was sorted out amicably.
“When I spoke with Real Madrid, it was a cordial and friendly conversation,” he explained.
“I decided to leave the club. I had many options, and I thank everyone who showed interest,” he concluded.
Mastantuono’s departure puts a pause on a short and complicated chapter for a player who arrived with a lot of expectations.
The good thing for him is that he is only on loan at Fiorentina and could return to Madrid, where the book is still open.
The first chapter may have been difficult, but there is no necessity for the trend to continue through the rest of the chapters.
Mastantuono’s priority now is to have a good season at Fiorentina, and it remains to be seen whether he has a future in the Spanish capital in the coming seasons.
