Florentino Pérez: “You are the strength of this club. Thank you for contributing to the unity and institutional stability of Real Madrid.”

Full speech by Florentino Pérez at the insignia award ceremony

Florentino Pérez presided over the 2026 insignia award ceremony for Real Madrid members who have maintained 50 and 60 years of uninterrupted loyalty to the club. Following the introduction by Emilio Butragueño, the president took the stage and, after observing a minute of silence for those no longer with us, stated: “This is one of the most emotional events we celebrate at our club. We are about to share a truly endearing moment, and I am certain that this is one of those days you will never forget. This ceremony is to thank you for your loyalty and commitment, and above all, for dedicating a lifetime to our Real Madrid. Today, you will receive the gold and gold-and-diamond insignias, which recognize your status as members of our club for 50 and 60 uninterrupted years.”

“As the president of Real Madrid, I feel a profound sense of pride in all of you. Today, I’m sure you remember your parents, your grandparents, and those family members and friends who taught you to embrace madridismo. Those who showed you what it means to be part of Real Madrid. Madridismo is an attitude towards life, one that involves hard work, sacrifice, a relentless drive for improvement, humility, respect, teamwork, and solidarity. These are the values that have shaped the history of our club.”

Unity
“Together, we have witnessed much of our club’s history. But everything we have achieved has been because we’ve formed a great family. Real Madrid is the best club in the world, the most successful, and also the most beloved and admired, thanks to our values and the unity we have forged in good times and in the most challenging circumstances.”

Universality
“I’ve always said that the unity of madridismo is our greatest strength. Today, the great family of Real Madrid also includes 700 million people connected through our social media platforms. 700 million people who feel madridismo as something universal that transcends all borders. We’ve seen it again in the recent documentary released by the club: In the Heart of the Fifteenth. Madridistas from all corners of the world were moved by achieving the latest European Cup at Wembley. The sixth European Cup we’ve won in the last 10 years.”

“The same emotions, the same joys, the same dreams, regardless of origin, language, customs, religion, ideology, or culture. They are united by their passion for Real Madrid. They are united by being part of this family.”

Passing on the Spirit
“50 and even 60 years as members of Real Madrid is something extraordinary, but it also comes with a great responsibility: to continue passing on to new generations what it means to be part of this club, the club of the 26 European Cups: 15 European Cups in football and 11 European Cups in basketball.”

“You are an inspiration for this badge to remain the most cherished and admired in the world. With your affection and loyalty, you encourage us to keep working to fulfill the dreams of all madridistas. We work so that Real Madrid continues to capture the hearts of people and to keep nurturing this sentiment.”

Self-Demand
“You, who have dedicated your lives to Real Madrid, know well that no one here gives up and that we will keep fighting, year after year, until the very end to continue adding titles to the most successful record in sports history, which belongs to Real Madrid.”

“We’ve won 58 titles in the last 15 years, including 6 European Cups in football and 3 European Cups in basketball. This demonstrates our level of self-demand, but it also compels us to reflect: to value things in their proper measure and to be aware of the challenges in achieving each triumph and each title.”

Ciudad Real Madrid
“And alongside these sporting successes, we have all contributed to building this Ciudad Real Madrid, which inspires admiration in everyone who visits it. We are completing the greatest transformation of the Bernabéu in recent times. A stadium unique in the world, which NFL officials have once again chosen to host one of the most spectacular events on the planet.”

The Bernabéu
“A Bernabéu with greater comfort, greater safety, designed for our members and fans, prepared so that no match or event is affected by weather conditions, and transformed into a cutting-edge, modern icon and one of the major tourist landmarks of our city. A source of pride for Madrid and Spain.”

Real Madrid Foundation
“As is the Real Madrid Foundation, a source of pride for all of us. I always say that the Foundation is the soul of our club. The Foundation is present in more than 100 countries, through 1,400 social-educational projects across all continents, and serves over 400,000 people each year, with special attention to the most vulnerable: children at risk of social exclusion.”

Economic Stability
“We should be proud of our Real Madrid. A club that continues to lead the main international economic and prestige rankings.”

Final Reflection
“You are the strength of this club. Congratulations and thank you for contributing to the unity and institutional stability of Real Madrid and for everything you have given to the club throughout your lives. I also personally thank you for the affection I receive from all of you every day. It is an honor to have your support to continue presiding over the best club in history.”

 

Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.