Florentino Pérez: "Never giving up is part of our DNA, that's how we came to be the club with 25 European Cups."

Florentino Pérez presided over the graduation ceremony of the 17th graduating class of the Real Madrid Universidad Europea University School, which was held at Real Madrid Sport City and in which 700 students graduated. The former Spanish President between 2011 and 2018, Mariano Rajoy, was the sponsor of this year's graduating class.

Also present at the ceremony were Elena Gazapo, rector of the Universidad Europea de Madrid; Pedro López Jiménez, vice-president of Real Madrid and president of the Governing Council of the Real Madrid Universidad Europea University 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 Universidad Europea University School.

Florentino Pérez: "Never giving up is part of our DNA"
"Dear students, congratulations, today is a day you will never forget. Here you culminate a path of work and sacrifice throughout an entire academic year in which you have strived to reach this moment. It is a very important stage in your lives that should serve as an impetus to face the great challenges that await you."

"At Real Madrid we have been firmly committed to this sound and exciting university adventure since its foundation in 2006. Since then and until today, more than 15,000 students from all corners of the world have passed through our classrooms at the European University, and we currently have branches in 5 countries: the United States, Mexico, Australia, Portugal and Spain."

Real Madrid values
"This badge is now a part of your lives. In it you will see your emotions and your feelings reflected. But Real Madrid is, above all, a way of understanding life and an attitude to face, especially in the face of adversity. You will take with you forever our culture of hard work, the desire to improve, team spirit, commitment, dedication, companionship, humility, respect and solidarity."

"At Real Madrid we have always believed that there is no such thing as the impossible. And that, with perseverance and sacrifice, we can achieve everything we set out to do. Never giving up is part of our DNA. This is how we came to be the club with 25 European Cups, 14 in football and 11 in basketball."

Thanks to the sponsor of the graduating class
"Dear President Mariano Rajoy, I thank you for having accepted our request and I would like to tell you that it is an honour for Real Madrid and for this University School to have someone who has dedicated a good part of his life to serving society, and who was President of the Spanish Government for 7 years. Thank you for being with us and for accompanying these young people who are taking an important step in their lives today. They are the future and they have the best tools: education and training."

Butragueño: "Our School is an undeniable reference in the sector"
"We are at Real Madrid Sport City, where our players are preparing to achieve their dreams. We welcome you here. We want to thank you for your effort and commitment throughout the course. I offer you my most sincere congratulations. In 2006 we started this project and today, 17 years later, we are very proud of the path we have taken. With the 1,100 students of this year's graduating class, we now have 15,000 students who have studied with us. Many of them hold important positions in the world of sport and have become the leaders they dreamed about being. Our School is a very solid and successful project, an undeniable reference in the sector."

Rajoy: "Real Madrid plays its part in building a better country"
"This is a very happy day for you and for me. It is an honour to be the sponsor of this graduating class. I want to congratulate Real Madrid, its president Florentino Pérez and all those who help make this club great. It is the best football team in the world. But Real Madrid is more than just a sports club, a model and successful organisation, it is an entity that tries to contribute and does so to build a better country. It plays a role in society and promotes values."

Elena Gazapo: " This club has an unrivalled international prestige"
"It is a very special day full of feelings that are multiplied by stepping foot in this stadium where we celebrate the graduation of this class of 2023. Considered the best club in the world, Real Madrid is a benchmark in sports management. An entity that bears the name of Santiago Bernabéu, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Raimundo Saporta and Paco Gento. From the Madrid of the Saeta Rubia to the Real club of Florentino Pérez, under whose leadership the club has achieved a professional transformation and unequalled international prestige."

Most highly rated programme
The award for the best programme went to the Master's Degree in Football Management. Miguel Pardeza and David Viejo, directors of the master's degree, each received a special mention.