Juanma Castaño, director of the radio program El Partidazo de COPE, has responded to Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez following the latter’s sharp criticism of the journalist during a historic press conference that has gone viral worldwide.
“Take care of Real Madrid, you take care of it, because sometimes it really needs it,” Castaño said, directly addressing Pérez.
Florentino Pérez had singled out Castaño, saying: “We have to fight against many. For example, from COPE, tell Juanma Castaño from me that it’s every day and every hour. Tell him to show a little consideration for the best club in history. That’s what I want to say: talk to him and have him take care of Real Madrid.” The Madrid president also referred to a supposed conspiracy of journalists against the club as “the intellectuals of the regime.”
In his response on COPE, Castaño chose a calm but assertive tone: “We will do everything possible to take care of Real Madrid. I take this message like that of a listener who, politely, clearly, and transparently asks us to take care of Real Madrid.” He added with irony: “I prefer this version of Florentino Pérez to him calling my bosses to ask for my head. That is much more unpleasant.”
Castaño also reminded Pérez of the controversial leaked audio scandal from 2021, published by El Confidencial, in which the president was heard insulting key figures associated with Real Madrid: Raúl (“he’s bad, he thinks Real Madrid is his”), Iker Casillas (“he’s a lapdog, like a puppet”), Vicente del Bosque (“he’s a blockhead, he doesn’t know how to coach or tactics”), and even Cristiano Ronaldo (“he’s an idiot”).
“Look, Mr. President, if we take care of Madrid, for example, back then we decided not to broadcast those audios that were recorded in several restaurants, where you disrespected Real Madrid, its players, coaches, captains, everyone,” Castaño revealed. He justified the decision as “a gesture to take care of Madrid,” explaining that “it was particularly hurtful content for Real Madrid and for the figure of the president,” and that they did not feel the manner in which the recordings were obtained was appropriate.
Following the press conference, Castaño shared on TRECE that he had sent a WhatsApp message to Florentino Pérez, who has not yet replied. The message read: “I know deep down you appreciate me. A hug, and I’m glad you’re well.”
Castaño described Pérez’s tone as a “mix between Jesús Gil and Donald Trump.”