President Pérez fundamentally blamed the president of LaLiga, Javier Tebas, after the rejection of Real Madrid’s request to postpone the party: “If it is not approved, we will abandon the tournament.” However, Thebes’s subsequent response has only increased the interest of the fans.
In a dramatic climbing of tension between Real Madrid and LaLiga, the president of the club, Florentino Pérez, has launched an ultimatum forceful to the president of LaLiga, Javier Tebas, after the League rejected the Real Madrid application to postpone its first game of the 2025-26 season. The application was due to the club’s exhausting calendar after its participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, where it suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat in the semifinals against Paris Saint-Germain. Pérez’s statement, “we will stop the competition if it is not approved,” has shocked the world of football and has questioned the relationship between one of the clubs with the most history in Europe and the Spanish football authorities.
The controversy began when Real Madrid, claiming fatigue of the players and an insufficient recovery period, formally requested the postponement of his first LaLiga match against Osasuna, scheduled for August 19, 2025. The club argued that the 41 -day period between the Club World Cup and the beginning of the league season was insufficient for the recovery of its players, especially after the physical wear and tear international. This request was not unpublished, since clubs that participate in international competitions usually demand adjustments in their national calendars to guarantee the well -being of the players. However, LaLiga, under the leadership of Thebes, rejected the application, claiming equity with other clubs and the need to maintain the integrity of the league calendar.
Thebes, known for his inflexible position, defended the decision in a statement to Associated Press, stating that Real Madrid players would have enough time to rest with a period of 20 days before the start of the season. “They will have 20 days instead of 21,” Thebes said, dismissing the club’s concerns as exaggerated. In addition, he emphasized that the decision was made in consultation with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which underlines the unit against the demands of Real Madrid. This rejection did nothing but delve the distance between Pérez and Thebas, whose relationship has been affected for years due to conflicts on issues ranging from retransmission rights to the controversial proposal of the Super League.
Pérez’s ultimatum reflects his frustration, which considers LaLiga’s indifference towards the unique challenges of Real Madrid as a world football power. The president has long defended the interests of the club, often colliding with Thebes for financial regulation, planning and governance. In an on a speech to the Real Madrid partners, Pérez accused LaLiga of putting commercial interests to the well -being of players and clubs. “We are not just a football club; we are an institution that represents millions of fans worldwide. Ignoring our needs is to undermine the essence of Spanish football,” he said. The threat of “abandoning the league” is a bold decision, which remembers the previous tensions when Real Madrid explored the possibility of joining another league, such as the Premier League, in 2021, an idea that the club later described as “absurd”.
The implications of Pérez’s threat are deep. The withdrawal of Real Madrid of the League, although unlikely, would be a catastrophic blow to the global attractiveness and financial stability of the league. The brand’s brand value, estimated by Forbes in 2013 in 464 million dollars, and its huge hobby make it a pillar of Spanish football. The absence of stars such as Kylian Mbappé, whose possible transfer to Real Madrid is subject to intense speculation, would further reduce the attractiveness of the league. Thebes, aware of this, subtracted importance from the ultimatum and accused Pérez of manipulating the league in favor of Real Madrid. “Pérez does not protest; he presses. He does not complain; threatens,” Thebes said in a recent interview, highlighting the ongoing power struggle.
The players have fed the controversy. The Real Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, visibly frustrated after the defeat in the Club World Cup, criticized Thebes’s leadership and compared LaLiga’s inflexibility with that of other major leagues such as the NBA and the Premier League, which, in their opinion, prioritize the well -being of the players. “I have never heard a LaLiga president to speak like this,” said Courtois, echoing the opinion of many in the environment of Real Madrid. Meanwhile, fans and analysts are divided. Some see Pérez’s position as a necessary resistance to a full football calendar, while others see it as an attempt to impose their dominance over the governing body of LaLiga.
The stagnation comes at a crucial moment for Real Madrid, which is in transition with Xabi Alonso as coach. The recent performances of the team, including a overwhelming defeat against the PSG, have shown their vulnerabilities and have raised doubts about their preparation for the next season. Pérez’s ultimatum can be a strategy to gain the support of the fans and press LaLiga to make concessions, but also runs the risk of distancing itself from other clubs and interested parties that depend on the stability of the league.
With the arrival of August 19, the first game of the season, all eyes are set in itself will fulfill its threat or if an agreement can be reached. The result of this important confrontation will not only define the Real Madrid season, but also the balance of power in Spanish football. The world of football awaits if Pérez’s commitment will force Thebes to act or if LaLiga will remain firm, risking the anger of one of his most influential clubs.
