On July 16, 2000, a 53-year-old businessman from Madrid was elected president of Real Madrid. At the time, few observers imagined that Florentino Pérez would usher in an era that would span, over two terms, more than a quarter of a century. Twenty-five years later, his record is unmatched in the club’s history: seven Champions League titles won under his presidency, a Bernabéu Stadium renovated at a cost of over one billion euros, and Real Madrid becoming the world’s most valuable sports brand.
This profile traces the career of Florentino Pérez, an engineer who rose to become the head of a Spanish construction firm and later the president of Real Madrid. The article recounts his arrival at the club, the "Galácticos" project, the lean years, the triumphant return, the stadium renovation, and his controversial role in the Super League project. It is a journey that sheds light on how modern-day Real Madrid has been built.
Background: An engineer who became a construction company owner
Florentino Pérez Rodríguez was born on March 8, 1947, in the Hortaleza neighborhood of Madrid. He studied civil engineering at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, an elite institution that trained the majority of technical executives in Franco-era and post-Franco Spain. He began his career in the public sector, notably within Madrid’s urban administration.
In the 1980s, he entered politics, first with the Union of the Democratic Center and later with the Democratic Reformist Party, where he served as secretary-general from 1982 to 1986. This political experience helped him build a network of influence that would prove invaluable when he took the helm of Real Madrid some fifteen years later.
His career in the private sector took off in the 1990s when he joined OCP Construcciones, which became the ACS Group following several mergers. Under his leadership, ACS established itself as Spain’s leading construction company, with a presence in several countries and major infrastructure projects. This status as a top executive gave him the financial clout and influence needed to run for the presidency of Real Madrid.
The 2000 Election and the Galactics Project
On July 16, 2000, Pérez defeated incumbent president Lorenzo Sanz in the club’s presidential election, winning approximately 55% of the vote. His campaign was built on a spectacular promise: to sign Luís Figo, the Portuguese playmaker from FC Barcelona. No one believed it until the transfer was finalized, just a few days after the election.
This inaugural signing set the tone for a decade of record-breaking signings. Pérez based his strategy on a simple principle: signing a global superstar every summer to both strengthen the team and generate massive marketing revenue. The project was dubbed “Galácticos” by the press, in reference to the idea of a stellar team made up of the world’s best players in their respective positions.
Over the next four years, Zinédine Zidane (2001), Ronaldo Nazário (2002), David Beckham (2003), and Michael Owen (2004) would follow. Each of these transfers broke financial records and made Real Madrid the center of the global player market. The club embraced its transformation into a global brand, with tours of Asia and North America that multiplied its commercial revenue.
First Term (2000–2006): Highs and Stalemates
The first term reached a rapid high point: victory in the Champions League in Glasgow on May 15, 2002, against Bayer Leverkusen, thanks to Zidane’s famous volley. Real Madrid lifted its ninth European Cup (the Novena), and Pérez saw his strategy validated by the continent’s most prestigious title. The 2002–2003 La Liga title was added to the trophy case, along with an Intercontinental Cup.
But starting in the summer of 2003, Beckham’s arrival and Claude Makélélé’s departure (sold to Chelsea) threw the team off balance. Too many attacking midfielders, no defensive midfielder, and an aging defense. Real Madrid failed to win any major trophies between 2003 and 2006. The pressure on Pérez mounted, the revolving door of coaches (Queiroz, Camacho, García Remón, Luxemburgo, López Caro) did nothing to stabilize the situation, and the club members began to protest openly.
On February 27, 2006, Florentino Pérez resigned. He cited a lack of results and his inability to turn things around. It was a harsh fall from grace after the triumphs of the early years of his tenure. For three years, he stepped back from the club’s public eye, though he retained his influence behind the scenes.
The Comeback of 2009 and the New Era
On June 1, 2009, Florentino Pérez was re-elected president of Real Madrid unopposed. He had learned from his first term. This time, the Galácticos project was accompanied by tactical safeguards. Cristiano Ronaldo (€94 million from Manchester United) and Kaká (€67 million from AC Milan) arrived that same summer, but subsequent signings balanced out the roster.
Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira, Mesut Özil, Karim Benzema, and Pepe were signed to build the team around Cristiano Ronaldo. José Mourinho was brought in as manager in 2010, bringing defensive discipline and a winning mentality. Later, Carlo Ancelotti and then Zinédine Zidane took over as managers, adopting a more attacking style.
On the field, the results followed. La Décima was clinched in Lisbon in 2014 against Atlético Madrid (4–1 after extra time), ending a twelve-year wait for European glory. The 2016–2017–2018 Champions League treble under Zidane (the former player turned coach) cemented the team’s status as the most dominant in the competition’s modern history.
Seven Champions League titles during his presidency
Florentino Pérez has won seven Champions League titles as president of Real Madrid: 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2024. No other European club president has matched this continental record. By comparison, his legendary predecessor Santiago Bernabéu won six, including the first five in a row between 1956 and 1960.
By the end of 2024, Pérez’s overall tally across his two terms in office exceeds 30 major trophies: seven Champions League titles, several La Liga titles, Copa del Rey titles, UEFA Super Cups, Club World Cups, and Intercontinental Cups. He thus becomes the most successful president in Real Madrid’s history, ahead of Santiago Bernabéu himself.
This dominance can be attributed to a combination of several factors: ambitious yet now targeted recruitment, the hiring of renowned coaches, synergy with La Fabrica (the academy’s ongoing commitment to producing top-tier players), and institutional stability. After the failure of his first term, Pérez was able to adjust his model to ensure its long-term success.
The renovation of the Bernabéu: a project costing over one billion euros
Announced in 2019, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium renovation project is one of the most ambitious construction projects in the world of sports. The initial cost is estimated at approximately €525 million, but it will ultimately reach nearly €1.17 billion by the time the main construction work is completed in 2023–2024. This budget reflects the technical complexity of the project, which is being carried out without causing any significant disruption to the sports season.
The new Bernabéu features a retractable roof, a 360-degree LED-lit facade, and a retractable playing field that allows the stadium to host other events (concerts, NFL or NBA games, and shows). The capacity remains comparable to the old stadium (around 80,000 seats), but the amenities and premium suites have been completely redesigned to generate significant annual revenue.
This renovation is one of the major personal achievements of Florentino Pérez, an engineer by training and a construction industry executive. The project combines his technical expertise with his strategic vision of Real Madrid as a revenue-generating machine. The goal is to transform the Bernabéu into an event venue that can be used 365 days a year, rather than just for Real Madrid matches.
The Super League Project: The Controversy of 2021
In April 2021, Florentino Pérez became the first publicly announced president of the European Super League, a proposed closed-door competition comprising twelve major European clubs. The project aims to compete with the Champions League by offering a competition with guaranteed revenue and permanent participation for the founding clubs, with no risk of relegation.
The announcement sparked an international outcry. UEFA, national federations, fans, and numerous European governments condemned the plan as contrary to the spirit of sport. Under pressure, the English clubs withdrew their participation within 72 hours, and the plan collapsed shortly thereafter. Pérez, however, maintains that the plan has merely been postponed.
In December 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union partially ruled in Pérez’s favor, finding that FIFA and UEFA had violated European competition law by threatening participating clubs. This decision reignited the debate, though it did not revive the project in the short term. The Super League remains a key issue for the future of European soccer.
Achievements and Legacy: A President Who Built
Beyond the trophies, Florentino Pérez’s legacy is also structural. He has transformed Real Madrid into the world’s leading sports brand, with a brand value that has risen steadily over two decades. He renovated the club’s iconic stadium. He has nurtured several successive great teams under very different coaches. He continues to lead the club at over 75 years old, with no credible internal challenger.
This legacy has also drawn criticism. The Super League project has tarnished his international reputation. Certain decisions regarding media relations have been poorly received outside of Spain. His close ties to Spanish political circles are a frequent topic of debate. But in terms of overall sporting and financial results, his tenure remains unparalleled in the club’s history.
To understand the legacy he inherited before moving beyond it, we wrote an article about Santiago Bernabéu, the visionary president of the 20th century. And to explore the grand adventure of signing star players, the article on the Galácticos details the first and second waves of signings initiated under Pérez.
Key Takeaways
- Florentino Pérez Rodríguez (born March 8, 1947, in Madrid) is a civil engineer and the CEO of the ACS Group, Spain's leading construction and civil engineering company.
- He was elected president of Real Madrid in July 2000, resigned in February 2006, then returned in June 2009 and remains president of the club today.
- Its "Galacticos" strategy involves signing a global superstar every summer, combining athletic ambition with marketing power.
- Seven Champions League titles won during his presidency: 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2024.
- He oversaw the renovation of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, a project costing over one billion euros that was completed in 2023–2024.
- He spearheaded the European Super League project in April 2021, which collapsed within days under pressure from fans and governing bodies.
- With more than 30 major trophies won over two terms, he has become the most successful president in the club’s history, surpassing Santiago Bernabéu.
Learn more
Florentino Pérez’s tenure is part of a long line of presidents at Real Madrid. To explore other aspects, we recommend our articles on Santiago Bernabéu, the historic predecessor to whom Pérez traces his lineage; on the Galácticos and their great adventure of the 2000s; and on the complete history of Real Madrid since 1902. For the architectural dimension, the feature on the builder of the original stadium sheds light on the connection between the two great presidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Florentino Pérez?
Florentino Pérez Rodríguez, born on March 8, 1947, in Madrid, is a civil engineer by training, the CEO of the ACS Group (Spain’s leading construction company), and has served as president of Real Madrid since 2009 (following a first term from 2000 to 2006). He is one of the most influential figures in world soccer.
When did Florentino Pérez become president of Real Madrid?
He was first elected in July 2000, defeating Lorenzo Sanz, and then resigned in February 2006. He returned to the presidency in June 2009, unopposed, and remains the club’s president today after more than 16 consecutive years in his second term.
How many Champions League titles has Florentino Pérez won?
Seven Champions League titles were won during his presidency: in 2002 (during his first term), and then in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2024 during his second term. This is the most successful continental record of any president in the history of European soccer.
What role did Florentino Pérez play in the renovation of the Bernabéu?
Pérez personally oversaw the renovation project for the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which was announced in 2019 and is expected to be largely completed by 2023–2024. The final cost is approaching €1.17 billion, and the stadium will feature a retractable roof, a 360-degree LED facade, and a retractable playing field to expand the stadium’s versatility.
Why is Florentino Pérez controversial?
There are several reasons: his leading role in the European Super League project in April 2021 (which collapsed under pressure), his close ties to certain Spanish political figures, and his public statements, which the international press has sometimes deemed arrogant. His track record in both sports and business, however, remains exceptional.
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