Florentino Pérez: “We are a club that belongs to people's hearts”
He presided over the graduation ceremony of the 19th graduating class of the Real Madrid Universidad Europea University School, chaired by Adriano Galliani, senator of the Italian Republic and historic figurehead of Italian football.
Florentino Pérez presided over the graduation ceremony of the 19th graduating class of the Real Madrid Graduate School - Universidad Europea, which was held at the Bernabéu stadium and saw the graduation of 1,755 students. Adriano Galliani, senator of the Italian Republic and historic figurehead of Italian football, CEO of the legendary AC Milan between 1986 and 2017 and current CEO of AC Monza, was the patron of this graduating class. The event was also attended by Elena Gazapo, Rector of the Universidad Europea de Madrid; Pedro López Jiménez, Vice-President of Real Madrid and President of the Governing Board of the Real Madrid Graduate School; Otilia de la Fuente, President and CEO of the Universidad Europea; and Emilio Butragueño, Director of Institutional Relations of Real Madrid and General Director of the Real Madrid Graduate School.
Florentino Pérez: “Real Madrid is a feeling that unites millions of people”
"Welcome to Santiago Bernabéu to celebrate the graduation ceremony of the 19th graduating class of the Real Madrid Graduate School. I would like to congratulate you because it is a day you will never forget. Achieving the goal, whatever it may be, is something very difficult to achieve in all walks of life. Today you have achieved it and you are here at the Bernabéu. This stadium is a symbol of what it takes to achieve success, but especially it is a particularly significant universal icon because the whole world recognises it as the place where things that may seem impossible can be achieved.”
“In this course, you have had the opportunity to enjoy an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Because beyond the knowledge acquired in each subject, beyond the tools that will facilitate your professional career, you will take with you the strength of a crest to which you can turn to in times of greatest difficulty. You will remember what it means to have been part of Real Madrid. You will take with you a life lesson: with this shirt we never give up. Here you have learnt that being Real Madrid is an attitude to life and a way of doing things.”
Values
“Dear graduates, Real Madrid is now part of your lives. This crest will always be with you. It will accompany you in each of your decisions because the values represented by this crest and this shirt will be present in each of them. Values that will help you to be better professionals and, most importantly, better people. Never give up and always maintain your enthusiasm for knowledge and for life.”
Universality
"The Real Madrid Graduate School was established 19 years ago with a clear international vocation. Since then, 18,000 students have passed through its classrooms. Real Madrid would not be conceivable without this concept of universality. We are a club that belongs to the people's heart and it does not matter the nationality, language, religion, ideology, ethnicity, culture or social condition of each individual. Real Madrid is a feeling that unites millions of people on all continents. There are 1,755 students from our headquarters in Madrid and our international alliances in Portugal, Mexico, the United States and Australia.”
Gratitude to the patron of the promotion
“I would like to say a big thank you to our dear patron of this 19th graduating class, one of the legendary managers and executives of Italian football and European football. The current senator of the Italian Republic, Adriano Galliani, is a key figure in terms of understanding the success of one of the greatest clubs in the history of football, which will remain forever in the memory of the fans. From 1986 until 2017, he was CEO of the legendary Milan, which won 29 trophies in 31 years, including 5 European Cups and 8 Italian league titles. In 2010, he received the Globe Soccer Award for his entire sporting career and in 2011 he was inducted into the Italian football Hall of Fame as a sports manager. He is currently CEO, deputy vice-president and general manager of his beloved Monza. Dear Adriano, today you have our admiration and our appreciation from all of us. Thank you for your presence.”
Galliani: “Real Madrid has built a legacy of incredible comebacks and unforgettable triumphs”
“It is a great honour for me to be here as the patron of this extraordinary ceremony. The Real Madrid Graduate School not only trains professionals, but true global leaders ready to be leaders in all sectors of sport.”
“The Santiago Bernabéu is a temple of victory, dear Florentino Pérez. A stage where some of the greatest pages of world sport history have been written. Here one breathes ambition, glory, team spirit and allegiance to the colours. Here, Real Madrid has built a legend made of incredible comebacks and unforgettable triumphs. The white shirt is fundamental to Real Madrid's achievements because it represents the history of the most glorious team on the planet.”
Butragueño: “May Real Madrid's values help you to find your way"
“It is a pleasure to welcome you to the home of all Madridistas. It is an honour for our students that someone with such a prestigious career in the world of football as Adriano Galliani is among us. The values of Real Madrid have been my guidance and I believe that they will help you to find the path to achieve your dreams. Have confidence in your ability to overcome difficulties and may no one and nothing keep you from your goal. I wish you all the best for the future and keep in mind that this will always be your home.”
“This university school is a benchmark in the academic field. You are the central component of the school, which has 50% of its student body in the online mode. The international spirit of the school continues to consolidate and 900 students have participated in some of our international experiences. In addition, 240 students have completed internships in the different departments of the club and 19% of the club's staff were students of the school.”
Elena Gazapo: “It is a day of emotions that intensify at this magnificent stadium”
“It is a day of emotions that intensify when you step onto the pitch of this magnificent stadium. Real Madrid is a club that is a global benchmark. Under the management of Florentino Pérez it has undergone an unprecedented professional transformation and is a model of excellence. 19 years of experience vouch for this school and we provide an education in which technology and teaching staff are essential. This comprehensive education will enable you to approach the professional world with confidence and competence. Make your passion your profession. My most sincere congratulations to all the students of the class of 2025, to their families and to those who have been with you in the most difficult moments.”
Special mentions
The award for the best programme went to the Master's in Sport Technologies and Digital Transformation, which was received by its directors Carlos Ocaña, Juan Carlos Fociños and Cristóbal Godoy. The Sports Communication and Journalism Area also received a special mention for having contributed the most to the development of the school. Two of the directors of the area, Antonio Galeano and Oussama Hammouch, received this mention.