Florentino Pérez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Florentino Pérez
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Pérez in 2024
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| 15th and 18th President of Real Madrid | |
| Assumed office 1 June 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Vicente Boluda |
| In office 16 July 2000 – 27 February 2006 |
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| Preceded by | Lorenzo Sanz |
| Succeeded by | Fernando Martín Álvarez (unofficial) Ramón Calderón |
| Born |
Florentino Pérez Rodríguez
8 March 1947 Hortaleza, Madrid, Spain
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| Alma mater | Technical University of Madrid |
| Occupation | Businessman, civil engineer, sports club president |
| Known for |
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| Board member of | Chairman of ACS Group |
| Spouse(s) |
María Ángeles "Pitina" Sandoval Montero
(m. 1970; died 2012) |
| Children | 3 |
| Signature | |
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Florentino Pérez Rodríguez, born on March 8, 1947, is a famous Spanish businessman. He is best known as the president of the legendary football club Real Madrid. Pérez also serves as the chairman and CEO of ACS Group, a major civil engineering company.
He has led Real Madrid during two important periods: from 2000 to 2006, and continuously from 2009 until today. During his time as president, he introduced the "Galácticos" policy. This strategy involved bringing some of the world's most talented football players to Real Madrid. Under his leadership, the club has achieved incredible success, winning many major titles. This includes a record number of Champions League trophies. Pérez is widely recognized as the most successful president in Real Madrid's long history.
Contents
Who is Florentino Pérez?
Early Life and Career
Florentino Pérez studied at the Technical University of Madrid. He began his career in the private sector in 1971. Later, he became involved in politics. In 1979, he joined the Union of the Democratic Centre party. He served as a member of Madrid's city council. In 1986, he was the secretary-general for the Democratic Reformist Party.
In 1993, Pérez became the vice chairman of OCP Construcciones. This company later merged with another, forming Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A. (ACS) in 1997. He then became the chairman of this new, larger company. Today, ACS Group is Spain's biggest construction company.
Leading Real Madrid: First Term
Pérez first ran for president of Real Madrid in 1995. He did not win that election. However, in 2000, he ran again and won with over 55% of the votes. He promised to improve the club's financial situation. A key part of his campaign was the promise to sign Luís Figo from rival club Barcelona.
The "Galácticos" Era Begins
After winning, Pérez started his "Galácticos" policy. This meant bringing one of the world's best players to Real Madrid each season. In 2001, Zinedine Zidane joined for a world-record transfer fee. He was followed by Ronaldo in 2002, David Beckham in 2003, and Michael Owen in 2004.
This strategy brought great success at first. Real Madrid won two Spanish championships and their ninth UEFA Champions League title. Pérez aimed to reduce the club's debt. However, after the 2003–04 season, the team struggled to win more trophies. This led Pérez to resign in 2006.
Leading Real Madrid: Second Term
On June 1, 2009, Florentino Pérez became president of Real Madrid again. He was the only candidate who met all the requirements. He quickly restarted his "Galácticos" policy. He signed Kaká, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo's transfer in 2009 broke the world record again. In 2013, Gareth Bale also joined the club.
More Trophies and Star Players
Pérez brought in many new players, including Mesut Özil and Ángel Di María. The team broke Barcelona's winning streak. They won the Copa del Rey in 2011 and the La Liga title in 2012. Real Madrid also reached the Champions League semi-finals for three seasons in a row.
In 2013, Pérez was re-elected for his fourth term as president. He brought in Carlo Ancelotti as the new manager. The club signed Gareth Bale for another world-record fee. They also added talented Spanish players like Isco and Asier Illarramendi. This season was very successful. Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey and their tenth Champions League title.
In 2014, Pérez signed 2014 FIFA World Cup stars James Rodríguez, Toni Kroos, and Keylor Navas. Later, under coach Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid won three consecutive Champions League titles. This happened in 2016, 2017, and 2018. This was a rare achievement in football history.
Modernizing the Santiago Bernabéu
In 2019, Pérez announced plans to renovate the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The new stadium features a retractable roof and an LED system. It also includes modern commercial, leisure, and restaurant areas. The goal was to make it a top tourist destination and a hub for major events. The renovations were largely unveiled during the 2023–24 season.
Real Madrid continued to win under Pérez. They secured their 34th La Liga title in the 2019–20 season. In the 2021–22 season, they won their 35th La Liga title and their 14th Champions League. This was a historic "double" victory. The club also won the UEFA Super Cup five times during this period.
In the 2022–23 season, Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey. The basketball team, Real Madrid Baloncesto, also won the EuroLeague title. In the 2023–24 season, Real Madrid won their 36th La Liga title. They also clinched their seventh Champions League title under Pérez's presidency. This surpassed Santiago Bernabéu's Champions League record.
In June 2026, Pérez was re-elected as the club's president until 2030. He has pledged to continue pursuing more European Cups for Real Madrid.
The European Super League Idea
In April 2021, Florentino Pérez was named the first chairman of the European Super League. This was a proposed new competition involving some of Europe's biggest football clubs. Pérez believed it would offer higher-quality matches. He also thought it would bring more money to football. This money would help support football at all levels.
However, the announcement of the Super League faced strong opposition. Fans, players, managers, and governments all expressed concerns. Many worried about fairness and competition. They felt it would make domestic leagues less important. Due to this widespread opposition, most clubs quickly withdrew from the project. The Super League announced it was suspending its operations.
Pérez stated that the project was only on standby. He believed it could still work with changes. In December 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on the matter. The court stated that rules by FIFA and UEFA regarding new competitions violated EU law. This ruling supported the idea that clubs could explore new competition formats.
Achievements and Recognition
Florentino Pérez has led Real Madrid to many victories in both football and basketball.
Football Trophies
- La Liga:
- 2000–01, 2002–03, 2011–12, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2023–24
- Copa del Rey:
- 2010–11, 2013–14, 2022–23
- Supercopa de España:
- 2001, 2003, 2012, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2024
- UEFA Champions League:
- 2001–02, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2021–22, 2023–24
- UEFA Super Cup:
- 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2024
- Intercontinental Cup:
- 2002
- FIFA Club World Cup:
- 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022
- FIFA Intercontinental Cup:
- 2024
Basketball Trophies
- Liga ACB:
- 2004–05, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22, 2023–24, 2024–25
- Copa del Rey de Baloncesto:
- 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2024
- Supercopa de España de Baloncesto:
- 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- EuroLeague:
- 2014–15, 2017–18, 2022–23
- FIBA Intercontinental Cup:
- 2015
Special Awards
Grand Cross of the Order of the Second of May (2011)- Golden Foot Prestige: 2022
- Special Career Award: 2024
Personal Life
Florentino Pérez married María de los Ángeles Sandoval Montero in 1970. They had three children: Eduardo, Florentino, and María Ángeles. His wife passed away in 2012. In 2021, Pérez tested positive for COVID-19 but did not experience any symptoms.
Images for kids
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Pérez with President of the Community of Madrid Cristina Cifuentes at a Champions League trophy ceremony in 2017
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Pérez with Mayor of Madrid Manuela Carmena in 2019, presenting the New Santiago Bernabéu
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See also
In Spanish: Florentino Pérez para niños
