‘Simply here to improve his business’ – Florentino Perez talks Enrique Riquelme, Negreira case, Mourinho, Vinicius renewal | OneFootball

While Enrique Riquelme has been outspoken since stepping up as a presidential candidate in Real Madrid’s upcoming elections, his competitor, Florentino Perez, has been the polar opposite.

The club legend, as he has become after serving as president for two decades, has remained largely silent and has gone about his work routinely, allowing his progress over the years to do the talking for him.

His opponent, however, has come out repeatedly lashing out at his project, and it is not surprising that the bucket of lies has irritated Perez and his entourage.

Perez hits out at Riquelme

Holding no filters in a recent interview, the Real Madrid president openly rejected Enrique Riquelme’s proposal for a debate and refused any such interaction.

“I will not debate Enrique Riquelme. Let him talk all he wants, I won’t debate him.

“Enrique Riquelme is simply here to use Real Madrid to improve his business, that’s it,” he added, making a huge accusation.

Florentino Perez has hit out at Riquelme. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Perez then backed up his work by revealing some questionable details of Riquelme’s campaign and its financing.

“Enrique Riquelme asked for a credit loan at a 54% interest rate. How can someone do that?”

Adding further shade to the electoral campaign of his competitor, Perez made a deep connection to a former president.

“This Riquelme candidacy is made of the same people as the Ramon Calderon presidency, the most sinister era in Real Madrid history.”

On his presidency

Perez then went on to speak on his time as Real Madrid president and how he has always looked out for the club’s good ahead of any personal interests.

“Real Madrid are lucky to have me. You shouldn’t have any doubts about that.”

Committing his resources and efforts towards the Negreira scandal, which is slowly but surely losing steam in the media, Perez said,

“I will go all-in on the Negreira case. I will never, ever stop until everything is cleared up.”

“This weekend I’m going to the UCL Final, as Ceferin invited me. I’m going to tell him that I’ll be sending him a massive file that we worked on for 3 years, about the Negreira case.

“It’s the worst case of corruption in football history,” he added.

The president then commented on the smear campaign being carried out to tarnish his image and what he made of that development.

Perez talked about Vinicius’ renewal. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

“The bad ones are saying that I want to privatise the club, it’s not true.

“I detected moves in the shadows that aimed to destabilise Real Madrid by targeting me as a person,” he added.

Perez then cleared the name of his right-hand man, Anas Laghrari, who has been linked to the presidential post as well.

“They’re saying that Anas Laghrari wants to be president, that’s not true, he hasn’t even been a socio for long enough to be president. Anas simply helps us.”

On the team

Finally, Perez spoke on the team and the road ahead, especially after a turbulent season plagued by injuries, tactical struggles and internal conflict.

“Mbappé, Vini Jr, Bellingham, Guler, Valverde, and Tchouameni are the best players in the world. A good coach will make them incredible.”

He was then asked when the signing of Jose Mourinho would be announced, to which he surprisingly said.

“Jose Mourinho is a very good coach. I can’t announce him, since I haven’t even spoken to him yet.”

On Vinicius Jr’s potential renewal at the club, the manager admitted that it was a priority and that he always strived to ensure the best players are at the club.

“Will Vini renew? I hope he stays; he’s one of the best in the world. People know that I’ll always bring the best players in the world to Real Madrid.”

Source: MARCA