Florentino Perez is one step closer to making his long-held dream of a league controlled by Europe’s elite a reality. And most Real Madrid fans are, rightfully, upset by this move and the fact that their club’s president, who recently won re-election, is at the epicenter of something so universally panned by long-time football fans.
Madridistas are also nervous about the future of the club they support and how their support may have to change. Let’s take a look at five ways in which this European Super League could profoundly change Real Madrid.
No more Champions League nights
We’ll begin with something that has more ramifications to Madridistas than any other fanbase. No club has won more Champions League titles than Real Madrid, and no club has dominated the competition more than Los Blancos. Even this season when Real have a weaker squad than normal, the club has managed to reach the semifinals of the competition.
Now, Perez’s decision could jeopardize Real’s success in the current Champions League campaign, as there is talk that Los Merengues – and the other rogue clubs – could be tossed out of this season’s competition. In that case, PSG would win by default.
But in the long-term, a European Super League means no more magic of the Champions League. That could be replaced with the thrills of the European Super League, but with the league being exclusively made of a select group of clubs, some of that magic will undeniably be lost.
Real Madrid are now enemy No. 1
To be honest, Real Madrid have always been one of the villains in football for every other supporter base. In Spain, for political reasons and for their dominance of the league, but abroad for their “Galactic” style and dominance. But even so, most clubs in Europe show respect to Real, even as they either envy or outright despise them.
There is no respect now. What Florentino Perez has done as the leader of the European Super League is unforgivable to the vast majority of football fans. Even among Madridistas, Perez is a divisive figure, and many are deeply disappointed by his ambitions, especially due to the timing of this announcement coming basically a week after his re-election.
Everybody hates Real Madrid. And not in a good way. Before, it was hatred out of respect or jealousy. Now, Los Merengues are the leaders of an Evil Empire in football that is trying to make an exclusive group against the spirit of competition. And the spirit of competition and an endless desire for excellence is what initially attracted many Madridistas to this club. Now, Perez’s achievements all seem farcical as he eschews the game for his own billion-euro pockets.
If you are a Madridista, get used to facing even more vitriol from football fans in light of Perez’s decision to start a European Super League and break free of UEFA, FIFA, and the Footballing Associations around Europe.
The magic of La Liga will be gone
Although there were few things like a Champions League night, that won’t be the only competition Real Madrid could be barred from. The RFEF and La Liga could move to kick out Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid from Spain’s top flight, essentially restricting Los Blancos to this NBA-lite league of elites.
And if that happens, Madridistas will surely miss La Liga, even for all of its flaws and the incompetence of “leaders” like Javier Tebas.
There is something special about learning about all the clubs in La Liga, their histories, their traditions, and their fanbases before playing them. Trips to the Ipurua, the Anoeta, San Mames, and even nearby Butarque felt special. You knew that these smaller clubs had everything to play for, especially when they were fighting for their lives in a relegation battle. And you saw Real bring out the best in each of the players at these clubs, desperate to prove something to the Galactics in the capital.
As frustrating as it was watching Real stymied by low blocks against Cadiz and similar sides, you couldn’t help but tip your cap off to the heart and grit of these clubs. You couldn’t help but smile a little bit as you saw the players celebrate an upset win over Los Blancos, seeing what it all meant to them.
Without a place in La Liga, all of those moments are gone. Real Madrid will no longer be a part of the culture of the league, and it will all be for the greed of the man on top.
Ridiculous economic growth
All the ways in which Real Madrid could be altered by a move to the European Super League are not negative to Florentino Perez. Otherwise, why would he make such a bold move and risk his legacy and even standing among the supporters? He is gambling on his risk paying off so much financially and in his bold vision eventually being popular, that he is willing to expose himself to hatred and expulsion and lawsuits.
The truth is that Real Madrid could be making so much more money if they help run their own show, and Perez would be the president of this new league. Whereas he is capped by La Liga and their inability to grow their product properly, Perez can control an entire league on his own and work with elite clubs in a way that ensures high investment from firms around the world.
Real stands to make a lot of money from this deal. That’s Perez’s No. 1 goal. His main goal has always been about making money and being the biggest entity in entertainment. He is an ambitious man who does what he wants. What do you think the Galactico era was all about?
Huge economic growth means a lot to Perez and maybe to some others around the club, including a few fans. But to many players and fans, selling out like this is not worth any price. Real Madrid were hit hard by the pandemic, but they were honestly doing fine and had plenty of success and power. Of course, someone like Perez will always want more, no matter the real cost.
It could cost Real Madrid Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and even some current star players
The last point might feel inconsequential in comparison to being banned from La Liga and being despised by even some of your own fans, but Florentino Perez’s bold money-making move could cost him in terms of sporting success.
There’s a distinct possibility that if the European Super League happens and the league is then walled off by UEFA and FIFA due to sweeping bans, Real will likewise be banned from signing players outside the league. And it may be difficult to pull off trades and moves within the league due to the stiff competition. So how will Real sign the best players? If PSG and Dortmund do not join this league – they have not signed on to this point – then Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland could be barred from joining Real Madrid.
And there go the two Galacticos who, you know, could have also helped Perez make Real richer and more successful. It’s possible that the pressure to sign these two players from the fans – which is understandable, fans always want the best players – drove Perez to make such a bold move. But in his zeal to procure more money, he may have cost himself the chance to sign great talents from outside the elites. How often, in the last five years, have Real signed players from other elite clubs? Eden Hazard?
It gets worse, though. Not only could Los Blancos be banned from La Liga and from transferring with clubs outside the European Super League, but the players could also be banned from international duty. Playing for your country is very important, including to the likes of Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos, Raphael Varane, and more.
Would they be willing to stay with Real and not represent their country?
More to the point, would someone as outspoken about the greed in football as Toni Kroos be willing to stay with Real Madrid in light of Perez’s actions?
Los Blancos could get a lot of money. But they could lose a lot of star players and be unable to replenish them. If that’s the case, they could go from being highly successful in the current format to struggling in the European Super League. They are so powerful they will probably avoid this problem, but it is something to remember in case the move bites Perez in the end.