Efarley feels like it has never been quite as topsy-turvy. Those who don’t view the situation as corrupt, often believe it’s just incompetence. The expectations are never low. Fans are understandably frustrated with the ongoing drama. Yet, what unfolded at the end of last Saturday’s Copa del Rey Final was something else entirely—Antonio Rudiger throwing an ice pack at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.
Think about it—this is a club that used to take pride in its decorum. Remember the days of the gentlemanly Senorio? Back then, players were guided by a code of conduct, especially on significant match days. I can almost hear the nostalgia as fans look back on those times.
This season, however, Real Madrid boycotted a ceremony meant to honor the Baron de Or, fueled by the narrative that Vinicius Jr. had been targeted by referees. They were adamant, insisting that the official tried to undermine him.
Moreover, Real Madrid TV even highlighted past decisions made by De Burgos that went against them, while players shed tears during his pre-match media appearances. In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to see how emotions can run high, even for those like Rudiger who tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves. Unfortunately, there’s a more toxic layer here— executive behaviors that create a charged atmosphere, making it more likely for players and fans to react poorly, especially when they feel wronged.
This brings us to Florentino Perez, the long-standing president of the club. At the ripe age of 78, he’s been in this role for most of the century. His tenure has seen immense success—seven Champions League titles and a notable increase in revenue. Yet, he seems to be perpetually at odds with everyone, claiming the world is against him.
It’s a familiar story, really—a mix of populism, propaganda, and the disruption of traditional journalism by social media. There’s that self-interest at play, too, making it hard for any kind of cooperative spirit to flourish.
During the Super League debacle, it was interesting to see how Perez’s lofty claims were reported, while many regarded them as fantasies. Yet, even at outlets like Marca, which are usually quite sympathetic to Madrid, some voices pushed back. For instance, editor Alfredo Relaño recently wrote a piece criticizing Perez for neglecting past financial issues with Barcelona related to former vice president Jose Maria Enriques Negreira.
It’s easy to speculate that Madrid could face its own financial trouble with Barcelona, given some questionable audits and UEFA’s hesitant reaction. Still, Perez is inextricably linked to Barcelona; they’re one of the few teams still backing his Super League vision.
If Joan Laporta were to fall out of favor, it could leave Perez feeling isolated. He’s already seen other strong squads falter after poorly timed financial decisions. It echoes the early 2000s, when the sale of Claude Makélélé disrupted a promising side.
Now, the newly revamped Bernabéu might look impressive, but it comes with a hefty price tag of €1.76 billion (£151 million). There are still concerns, like unbuilt VIP boxes and prohibitions on concerts due to neighborhood protests—issues that seriously hinder potential revenue streams.
Recently, disputes with the league meant that a television company was unable to broadcast from the stadium before or after games. This refusal to engage with the media is just another aspect of a broader pattern. Media rights holders have faced challenges because Madrid denies them access, which creates a toxic atmosphere devoid of accountability.
Looking back, it’s tempting to blame this decline on the José Mourinho era. He wasn’t the first to challenge conventional narratives, but he was frank about the nature of the game. However, he didn’t create this situation. Notably, Barcelona turned him away at one point out of concern he wouldn’t mesh with their values, while Madrid, during a time of struggle, chose to overlook those moral considerations.
They brought Mourinho in, fully aware of his style. It seems like his influence, perhaps unintentionally, opened doors for self-serving behavior within the club. Now that they’re on the downturn again, Perez’s defensive stance is resurfacing.
Social media amplifies this toxic atmosphere, fueling tribalism to the point where it complicates the sport drastically. Think about how the Victorians viewed sport as a way to instill values—like the importance of equality in defeat. Perhaps it’s naive, but one has to wonder if the leaders in Madrid have yet to grasp that lesson.
