The stands of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, home of Real Madrid, turned into a scene of massive protest on Saturday evening during the team's match against Levante in the 20th round of the Spanish La Liga. The match was not just a routine sporting event, but rather a public trial of the club's management, with fans directing their anger at club president Florentino Pérez and demanding his immediate resignation.
The resounding chants of “Florentino, resign!” that shook the stadium reflected the intense discontent within Real Madrid, a situation that has dramatically escalated over the past two weeks. The initial spark ignited after the team's 3-2 defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last Sunday. This loss was more than just a title defeat; it proved to be the final straw, especially given the subsequent series of erratic management decisions, most notably the dismissal of coach Xabi Alonso, a move widely perceived as an attempt to evade administrative responsibility.
To understand the depth of the crisis, one must look at the historical context of the competition; this loss to Barcelona represents the third consecutive final that “Real Madrid” has lost to the Catalan team, after losing the King’s Cup final for the 2024-2025 season and the previous league, which has cemented the Catalan superiority complex in recent decisive direct confrontations, something that Real Madrid fans, who are used to climbing the podiums of victory, will not forgive.
The disasters didn't end there. To make matters worse, Real Madrid suffered a humiliating exit from the Copa del Rey round of 16 last Wednesday at the hands of the modest Albacete side, who pulled off a major upset with a 3-2 victory. The match exposed the fragility of Real Madrid's defense and mentality. This early elimination has placed the management and players under intense scrutiny, as losing to lower-division Spanish teams is considered a "footballing sin" at the Royal Club.
Amid this tense atmosphere, informed sources within the club revealed that Florentino Pérez, who watched the match from the VIP box amidst a storm of boos, had harshly criticized the players behind closed doors, holding them responsible for the alarming decline in results. Reports indicate that the board is preparing sweeping decisions that could see some big names removed from the team in the coming period to appease the anger of Madrid fans.
In the league standings, Real Madrid remains in second place, four points behind leaders Barcelona after 19 rounds. While the points gap is manageable, the team's performance, morale, and the loss of two titles since the start of 2026 cast doubt on their ability to return to contention. This makes the coming days crucial in determining the future of the administrative and technical structure of Europe's greatest club.
