Florentino Perez on Zinedine Zidane’s letter and Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez recently sat down with Onda Cero’s Transistor programme for an interview. He was naturally asked about Zinedine Zidane’s departure from the club for a second time, and here is what the Madrid president had to say: 

“I know him [Zidane] and it has been a hard year, I fought for him to stay,” Perez told Onda Cero’s Transistor programme.

“I have not read the farewell letter, I swear on my grandchildren. The person who wrote that letter was not Zidane.

“I wish him well, he has been a legend for Real Madrid and he has all of our recognition, he has the dream of being the French coach and I’m sure he will achieve it.”

While his comments are somewhat unexpected, it is clear that Perez is trying to avoid controversy as much as possible. Carlo Ancelotti has now been re-appointed as the head coach of the club and is the replacement for Zinedine Zidane. 

Perez also commented on Sergio Ramos and his departure from the club after 16 years as a Madrid player: 

“I love Ramos like a son, I brought him here in 2005 and I’ve never before been to a press conference with a player,” Perez added.

“I have such admiration for him, he has been a legend and we wanted him to stay, we offered him a contract, he had a deadline but didn’t make it clear.

“This is his home and he will return for sure in another role.”

Ramos was given a public farewell from the club, where he was pictured alongside the 22 trophies he led the club to. He is yet to announce his next club or whether he will play at all. Perez went on to confirm that Marcelo will stay at the club and will wear the captain’s armband.

In terms of transfers, Brahim Diaz is set to return to Milan on loan. The president refrained from commenting much on Gareth Bale, Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland.

On the topic of Raphael Varane, he denied receiving any official bid for the player. Manchester United are one of the most strongly linked names with the player, and there is a good chance he could follow Sergio Ramos out the exit door.