THE FLORENTINO PEREZ PROBLEM: WHY JAVIER TEBAS CLAIMS REAL MADRID IS DESTROYING SPANISH FOOTBALL
Javier Tebas has gone all-in on Real Madrid! Read the La Liga president's explosive comments on Florentino Perez and the CVC deal.
The feud between La Liga president Javier Tebas and Real Madrid’s Florentino Perez isn’t showing any signs of ending. This week, Tebas took the stage at the Europa Press Sports Breakfast and, instead of talking about the game itself, went straight after the Real Madrid leadership. He defended La Liga’s choices and zeroed in on Perez’s role in all the recent drama.
Everyone’s been talking about Real Madrid’s split from Xabi Alonso, but Tebas thinks there’s a bigger problem hanging over Spanish football.
So, what’s the real issue? Right away, Tebas shot down criticism over the league’s deal with CVC. He said Madrid’s legal push against it just twists reality.
“La Liga didn’t try to take anything from Real Madrid or win in court for the other clubs. We spoke with many club presidents, and it was all explained clearly.
“The clubs’ ownership was never at risk. Everyone got the facts; everything else is just noise.
“The real problem has always been Real Madrid. If we don’t wake up, they’ll end up destroying Spanish football, just like what’s happening elsewhere in Europe,” Tebas said.
Then he moved on to why the CVC deal even matters. According to him, it’s been key for updating stadiums and boosting both attendance and revenue across Spain.
“You’ve got to understand the CVC plan—it’s directly tied to the list of stadiums getting renovated, which means more fans and more money.”
And Tebas didn’t just stick to recent fights. He brought up old scandals, comparing the current Negreira case to earlier match-fixing problems and calling out Madrid for staying quiet back then.
“Florentino once called the Negreira case the worst thing to hit Spanish football. But honestly, he’s wrong. The worst was the match-buying between 2008 and 2013. Teams are paid to stay in the league.
“That was the real scandal. And what did Florentino do? He looked the other way.
“In 2010, there was a wiretapped call with the Hercules president—match-buying came up. Who ignored it? Who didn’t back an investigation? Real Madrid,” Tebas said, not holding back.
Back on the Negreira case, Tebas argued that La Liga is leading the charge for accountability—not Madrid. He pushed back against anyone trying to link today’s refereeing to that scandal.
“The Negreira case is serious, and it’s being prosecuted. Not by Real Madrid, but by the prosecutor.
“They haven’t proven anyone bought referees, but it’s clear money went to the vice president of the referees. That’s bad enough. The case has to go on, and Barcelona has every right to defend itself,” he said.
Finally, Tebas talked about the fallout between Perez and Barcelona’s Joan Laporta. He brushed it off, saying he didn’t care if they were not on speaking terms. For him, it’s all about power games in Spanish football.
“I don’t lose sleep over Florentino and Laporta breaking off relations. If it’s because of the Super League, that’s fine by me,” Tebas said.
Then he pointed out what he sees as obvious pressure tactics. “Funny how, right after Barcelona left the Super League, Madrid hit them with a legal attack. Before that, relations were fine. What’s that called? That’s coercion. As long as you’re with me, I keep quiet; if you’re not, I go after you.
“That’s a classic move. Those clubs are trying to tear down La Liga and its president,” he said, wrapping things up.
WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?
After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.
Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.
Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.
The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.
Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.
But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.
Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.
Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.
Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.
Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.
Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.
Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.
So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.
HOW HECTOR BELLERIN’S 94TH-MINUTE STUNNER PUSHED REAL MADRID TO THE TITLE BRINK
Real Madrid's title hopes faded after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis. Discover the impact of Bellerin’s goal and Mbappe’s injury.
Real Madrid’s La Liga dreams took a big hit Friday night when Héctor Bellerín scored a 94th-minute equaliser, earning Real Betis a 1-1 draw. With that late goal, Madrid now sit eight points behind Barcelona, and if Barça win their next match, they could pull even further away with just a handful of games left.
Madrid actually started strong in Seville. Vinícius Jr took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake and put them ahead early in the 17th minute. After that, Madrid had control for large stretches, but it just didn’t translate into goals. Kylian Mbappé had one ruled out for offside, and Jude Bellingham, along with the rest of Madrid’s attack, missed some big chances. It all came back to haunt them when, in the dying seconds, Bellerín capitalised on the chaos at the back and smashed in the equaliser.
People are talking about Madrid’s defence and not in a good way. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet for ten straight league games. The last time the backline struggled this much in a single season was way back in 2003-04, when Carlos Queiroz was in charge. This run has cost Madrid dearly, with dropped points piling up right when the title race is heating up.
This result marks Madrid’s fifth league draw this season, another missed chance that opens the door for Hansi Flick’s relentless Barcelona to run away with the title. With their Champions League hopes already gone, Madrid are now staring at what could be just their fifth season without a trophy this century. About the only bright spot? Mbappé made his 100th appearance for the club, becoming just the tenth Frenchman to reach that milestone for Madrid. Still, even that was undercut; he limped off with a suspected hamstring injury about ten minutes from the end.
Honestly, the title now looks like a lost cause. If Barcelona beat Getafe, they will go 11 points clear. Madrid has two tough away fixtures next: Espanyol, then Barcelona in a do-or-die El Clásico that could finish off their title hopes for good. With their form stalling and Barça flying, Madrid now need a minor miracle and a huge Barcelona slip-up to avoid ending this season empty-handed.
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