No one in the world is like Florentino Pérez. Admired and challenged, disliked and applauded. In any case, one of the most successful presidents in the history of football, at the helm of the most successful club of all time: that is why his way of running Real Madrid is becoming a model. Certainly not from today, but today a little more than before. Especially among those former footballers who had the chance to observe him up close, step by step, in a managerial context. And now they are ready to test themselves behind the desk: the latest example is Sergio Ramos, who in recent days has finalized the purchase of part of Sevilla’s shares – an injection of liquidity and confidence that the Andalusians badly needed in order to plan a genuine rebuild after some very difficult years.
As Diário AS reports, it was Florentino himself who, in 2005, brought Sergio to the Blancos thanks to an investment that was unusual by the standards of the time, especially for a young Spaniard. From then on, the personal and professional relationship between the defender – future captain, identity megaphone, icon of madridismo – and the Real patron never stopped. Now they will be able to meet for the first time as executives, as equal colleagues, just as Pérez has broken his silence by announcing that he has every intention of remaining at the helm of Real Madrid at least until 2029.
If Ramos is, in football terms, something of his adopted son, the list of those who consider the Real president a true putative father is long and full of great names. Think of Ronaldo the Phenomenon, as a pioneer – misadventures included – at the head of Valladolid (and in the past also of Cruzeiro). Or Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently became a co-owner of Almería, or Luka Modric, who carried out a similar operation with Swansea. There would also be Courtois (with Le Mans and with Extramadura) and Vinícius Júnior (with Alverca), not to mention Kylian Mbappé (who, however, had bought Caen before even moving to Madrid).
It does not end here: Fernando Hierro, an old standard-bearer of the Galacticos and the Spanish national team, has become general manager of Málaga. Another pillar like Iker Casillas had even tried to challenge Luis Rubiales at the helm of the Spanish Football Federation – but now he is content to explore the Kings League. And again: Míchel Salgado now takes part in the development programs of the Saudi Federation, Figo and Roberto Carlos are studying to become sporting executives rather than coaches, while just a few days ago Bellingham invested in a cricket team.
But perhaps the luckiest story of all is that of David Beckham: the number one of Inter Miami, whose real value he has multiplied enormously in the space of just a few years. To the point of signing, by a twist of fate, none other than Lionel Messi – well, Pérez will never be able to do that. But the influence remains, and how. «I learned so much from people like Florentino», Beckham has said over the years. «He has this crazy vision of bringing the best players in the world and building an incredible stadium (objective achieved, ed.). I never aspired to be a coach; I don’t think I would have been suited to that role, but I wanted to own a club».
And speaking of the eternal dualism between Madrid and Barcelona. In this long feature, As draws the fascinating comparison between Johan Cruijff and Florentino Pérez: so different, and yet so influential in their diversity. One capable of forming an extraordinary school of coaches – Guardiola, Rijkaard, De Boer, Lopetegui: here too the list is long –, the other an unrivaled point of reference for those studying to become club owners. Especially for those attentive champions who had the chance to admire him in action: «His ability to convince a player to sign has always been extraordinary», former madridistas say. Because to become the number one club in the world you need infrastructure, vision, the right business choices. But above all, peerless powers of persuasion. Ask Zidane, CR7, half of Real’s recent history.