Florentino Perez: “Sign a number 9? We already have the best in the world, Karim Benzema”

Real Madrid are in a good moment. The team recently defeated bitter rivals Atletico Madrid and today were rewarded by the prestigious magazine, France Football, as the best club in the history of football. The same publication were granted an interview with club president, Florentino Perez. El Presi was forthright in his belief of the quality within the current squad, “Our players have won the last 3 Balon d’Ors. We have the best squad in the world and the trophies we have won show that”. Throughout the interview, Perez defended his beloved Madrid and alluded to their unprecedented success in recent years, including the three consecutive Champions League triumphs.

Eventually Perez was asked about future signings and the clubs current model. “We will not spend for the sake of spending. For years I have read and heard that Madrid needed to sign a number nine, when in reality Karim Benzema is the best centre-forward in the world” Perez comments prove his unwavering faith in the Frenchman has not dissipated. Year after year, rumors of a new striker emerged— Lewandowski often being touted as a Benz replacement— but each year he has remained and the President has always had a special affection for the French-born Algerian, much like he does with Zidane.

Perez was also vocal about Madrid’s new transfer policy, “What we have done is sign very young players who will be stars of the future, like Vinicius and Rodrygo, the latter of whom was nominated for the Kopa trophy. Our objective is to be the best. This club must live up to its history.” The recent performances of Vinicius JR only vindicate the club’s new model and the hope is that others, like Rodrygo, can become players of the highest quality in the coming years.

The interview concluded with thoughts on Luka Modric, who Perez eulogized. “We are very happy for Modric as his football and what he represents is part of our legend. He represents our club values and simply never gives up” he commented. All in all, France Football provided Perez and the club with some positive publicity and an opportunity to further back the belief in the current squad and the new model for transfers.