Real Madrid President Perez Calls for Elections After Trophyless Season

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez held a tense press conference on May 12, 2026, where he announced his intention to stand for re-election following a trophyless season. The event was marked by heated exchanges with journalists, as Perez defended his leadership against claims of fatigue and an organized campaign against him. He challenged critics to step forward openly rather than leaking information anonymously, citing his track record of 37 titles since 2009. The announcement comes after Barcelona secured the La Liga title, marking Real Madrid's second consecutive year without a major domestic or European trophy. Perez also criticized La Liga for alleged systematic corruption. Despite recent fan unrest regarding Kylian Mbappe and internal squad conflicts, Perez expressed confidence in the support of the club's 100,000 members. Speculation suggests that if re-elected, he may appoint Jose Mourinho as head coach, replacing interim manager Alvaro Arbeloa. This significant development highlights the growing pressure on the long-serving president amidst declining on-field performance and internal instability at the Spanish football giant.