The Athletic FC Podcast Why Florentino Perez is club football's most powerful man
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Jan 21, 2026 Guillermo Moray and Dermot Corrigan, experts on Real Madrid and its intricate politics, dive into Florentino Perez's reign as a club powerhouse. They discuss the recent boos from fans and how Vinícius' stunning performance helped win them back. The duo explores Perez's commercial successes, growing pressures as a president, and fan protests against board decisions. With insights on Madrid's upcoming challenges and the controversial investor plan, they unravel the potent mix of sports and politics that shapes the club's future.
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Sacking Sparked Fan Backlash
- Xabi Alonso was fired after a Supercopa loss and a Copa del Rey humbling, sparking fan outrage and whistles at the Bernabéu.
- The 6-1 Champions League win over Monaco briefly calmed supporters but left long-term tensions intact.
Fan Backing Shapes Vinicius’s Form
- Vinicius Jr's fortunes at the Bernabéu depend on crowd backing and teammate trust, notably from Mbappé.
- His emotional comeback in the Monaco game demonstrated how quickly fan sentiment can shift with on-field performance.
Power Through Commercial Mastery
- Florentino Perez centralised power and drove commercial growth that made Real Madrid the richest club in world football.
- His strategy combined marquee signings with major stadium and revenue projects to sustain on- and off-field success.