Tebas Weighs In on Real Madrid's Election, Mourinho's Comeback, and Major Transfer Rumors

MADRID, SPAIN - Javier Tebas, the president of LaLiga, shared his insights on key developments concerning Real Madrid during a recent event at Celta Vigo’s headquarters. Among the topics discussed was the recent presidential election at the club, where Florentino Pérez successfully secured another term, albeit with notable competition from Enrique Riquelme, who unexpectedly garnered 35 percent of the vote despite being relatively unknown prior to the election.

Tebas remarked, “Florentino Pérez has achieved a good victory, but for this guy with a Mexican accent, who nobody knew 15 days ago, getting 35 percent of the vote isn’t bad.” He further noted that the election exposed a different side of Real Madrid, suggesting that there have been changes in the club dynamic that Pérez's long tenure may have obscured. “We hadn’t seen Florentino on an election campaign or in the media for 20 years. This is the real Florentino I know,” he said, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the voices of all members within the organization.

He continued, highlighting the significance of the election itself over the outcome: “Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me (who won). I maintain that 30 days ago nobody would have imagined that anyone could run as an alternative to Florentino Pérez given Real Madrid’s current circumstances.” Tebas pointed out that this shift in dynamics has been unexpected, particularly for a club with a history of stability.

Turning to the anticipated return of José Mourinho to Real Madrid after more than a decade, Tebas expressed enthusiasm. “I think Mourinho’s return is fun,” he stated, acknowledging that his presence adds excitement to the league. Mourinho's previous stint at the club coincided with a fierce rivalry against Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, marking a pivotal era in Spanish football.

Lastly, Tebas commented on rumors linking Real Madrid to a significant €150 million transfer, although he refrained from naming any specific players. “The 150m signing? I’ve always said that Spanish football shouldn’t waste money,” he cautioned, hoping that if such a substantial investment is made, it will be directed towards acquiring a standout player, a true star for the team.