Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and rejoin Manchester United in a move that could see Florentino Perez forced out of the Santiago Bernabeu.
Player sales, false contract promises, a poor domestic start; You would not guess that just over three months ago – Real Madrid had won their tenth Champions League title.
Since then, Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso have left the club, leaving a massive hole in the midfield at the club – something which has been evident in their three opening La Liga games, losing to Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad in two of those.
Florentino Perez is to blame so some say with the president having become arrogant and ruthless in his treatment of players, thus upsetting his star player – Cristiano Ronaldo in the process.
The club’s fans are currently attacking both he and number one Iker Casillas, whom they blame for on and off field problems, stemming back to when Jose Mourinho was in charge.
It is difficult to not agree with those fans as Perez’ sales of Di Maria and Alonso left many scratching their heads, especially after the former had such a superb campaign last season and Alonso has produced some impressive performances for new club Bayern Munich.
Both, including Mesut Ozil, who was sold last summer to Arsenal have hit back at the club’s president, calling his management of staff poor, whilst Ronaldo is upset that the aforementioned were sold altogether.
Perez is not doubt under pressure; after signing the likes of James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale in recent seasons, he needs to win back the much coveted La Liga title from city rivals Atletico Madrid and restore some peace behind the scenes if he is to at least remain at the club.
However, his main task now is keeping Ronaldo, who is as things stand – on his way back to Manchester United.
Ronaldo has become Madrid’s best player and their season mainly relies on his presence and goals, thus signalling his importance but Perez has reportedly lost his grip and relationship with the Portuguese winger.
Recently, Perez’s wife, Maria Angeles Sandoval, who passed away in 2012, has had her grave stone attacked with graffiti, whilst Spanish reports claim the Ultra Sur fan group have sent death threats.
Of course, no president should go through such a display of hatred, but lose Ronaldo and Perez’s life may be about come even more dangerous.