This Sunday’s General Assembly marked a pivotal moment for Real Madrid as president Florentino Pérez laid out a bold vision for the club’s future. Rejecting rumors of a potential departure or disguised privatization as “absurd,” Pérez emphasized his commitment to ensuring that Real Madrid remains under the unwavering ownership of its supporters for the next century. In light of the growing influence of state-owned clubs and aggressive investment funds, he deemed it essential to amend the club’s statutes to protect its vast heritage from external interests.
Pérez’s proposal aims to establish a legal framework that will prevent any third party from seizing or diluting the club’s monumental assets. He is determined to fortify the club’s identity amidst changing financial landscapes, particularly with the lucrative developments surrounding the new Santiago Bernabéu. This initiative is not merely about preserving tradition; it’s about strategically positioning Real Madrid in an increasingly competitive environment.
A New Era of Ownership
The plan Pérez presented is a financial masterstroke designed to safeguard the club’s future. While maintaining its status as an association, the proposal includes creating a subsidiary entity that would hold all assets and revenues. This structure would ensure that the 100,000 socios retain absolute control over the club. The nuanced aspect of this strategy involves potentially opening a small fraction—between 5% and 10%—of capital to a global strategic partner. This maneuver aims to assign an astronomical market value to Real Madrid, effectively making any hostile takeover financially unfeasible.
Empowering Socios
This reform significantly alters the role of socios. Previously, membership was primarily a sentimental and political connection, granting voting rights without tangible economic value. Under Pérez’s vision, current socios would be recognized as the true owners of this legacy, with unprecedented rights to pass down their titles and economic privileges to their heirs upon death. This ensures that Real Madrid remains a family affair, preserving control across generations.
Pérez underscored the urgency of this legal modernization, arguing that while the current structure is steeped in romanticism, it is vulnerable to those eyeing the wealth generated by the revamped Bernabéu. By securing ownership through this complex financial mechanism and subjecting it to an upcoming referendum, Pérez aims to erect an impenetrable barrier around the Casa Blanca. His ultimate goal is clear: to ensure that the world’s richest football club continues to belong to those who cherish it, rather than those who seek merely to acquire it.


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