The end of the current season was not expected by anyone at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Madrid</a>. Even though the team’s on-field performances were not good, it was not supposed to be a year in which a presidential election would be called. However, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/florentino-perez/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florentino Pérez</a> has done so amid criticism, recalling the signings of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/luis-figo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luis Figo</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/kylian-mbappe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kylian Mbappé</a> in his campaign launch and making a big promise about the future.



Pérez said: “From Figo to Mbappé, none arrived alone. They were the result of a vision and a determination we cannot lose. The arrival of the world’s best players will not be a dream. It will continue to be a reality.”



That was just part of a long message Pérez delivered in a video narrated by himself, with Real Madrid’s anthem playing in the background, in which he highlighted everything the club has improved and won during his tenure.



<h2>The full message</h2>



“Running the world’s biggest club isn’t something you can improvise. You need to think long-term and be able to stay the course. We have transformed Real Madrid into the world’s most valuable club, with the highest revenue, the best reputation, and the most valuable brand on the planet.



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But the world changes every day, and leadership cannot be taken for granted. We must keep working day by day. The greatest era in the history of world football is not over. Sixty-six titles, including seven Champions League trophies, set the standard for everything still to come. New nights that will seem impossible, but that we will experience together once again.


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From Figo to Mbappé, none arrived alone. They were the result of a vision and a determination we cannot lose. The arrival of the world’s best players will not be a dream. It will continue to be a reality.



The new Bernabéu is the most advanced stadium on the planet. It is proof that this club thinks in decades, not seasons. Every stone in the upcoming expansion of Valdebebas carries the same commitment: building the best environment for always winning.



Madrid’s greatness is not measured only by titles. It is measured by the children who learn, and by the people this club helps shape. The same jersey used to win Champions League trophies is also a commitment to living by values. This is the Real Madrid Foundation. This is the Real Madrid University. This is who we are.



Remaining the best club in the world means continuing to work tirelessly in management, technology, and fan experience. Every year, without stopping. While others watch, we continue creating new ways to lead the world of sports and entertainment.



Real Madrid does not belong to any president. It belongs to its members. To those who, since childhood, have cried and laughed wearing the same jersey. It was always you, and it always will be.



Because greatness cannot be improvised or inherited. And because the best club in the world never stops.”



<h2>The elections</h2>



Pérez remains the favorite to win the election, which will appoint a president for four years, but this time he will not be the only person seeking the role. The other candidate Real Madrid fans can vote for is businessman Enrique Riquelme, 37. The election is scheduled for Sunday, June 7, one day before Pope Leo XIV visits the Santiago Bernabéu.

Florentino Perez launches Real Madrid presidential campaign with motivational video

Florentino Perez launches Real Madrid presidential campaign with motivational video - World Soccer Talk

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This year will be one of the rare occasions in recent times where <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Madrid</a> doesn’t win the Champions League. The teams still in contention for the prestigious trophy are <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/arsenal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arsenal</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/bayern-munich/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayern Munich</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/psg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paris Saint-Germain</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/atletico-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atletico Madrid</a>. In a surprising pick, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/luis-figo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luis Figo</a> chose a former rival as the team he would like to see win it.



During the Laureus Awards gala, Figo said: “From the teams that are in the semifinals, I’d like Atletico Madrid to win the Champions League after so many years and lost finals, even though I played for Real Madrid.”



He later explained that his choice was influenced by friendships with key figures at Atletico Madrid such as CEO Miguel Ángel Gil and club president Enrique Cerezo, helping clarify his unexpected answer.



<h2>Figo highlights PSG and Bayern Munich</h2>



A player of Figo’s caliber also offers insight into the players he enjoys watching the most. Among the teams still competing, he singled out Michael Olise, saying “it’s a pleasure watching him play.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/21190542/olise-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-637709"><figcaption>Figo hailed Bayern Munich’s player Olise (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



While his pick of Atletico Madrid reflects more of a personal wish than a firm prediction, he also addressed which team he believes is most likely to win, pointing to a specific semifinal matchup.


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Figo identified the French and German sides as the favorites to lift the trophy: “Speaking from a soccer perspective, the champion will come from the semifinal between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.”



<h2>Figo about Real Madrid</h2>



Real Madrid are set to finish the season without a trophy, something that rarely happens. However, according to the Portuguese legend, the pressure comes more from outside the club than from within. Figo said: “When you don’t win for two years at that club, alarms start to go off.”

Luis Figo picks surprise Champions League winner despite Real Madrid rivalry

Luis Figo picks surprise Champions League winner despite Real Madrid rivalry - World Soccer Talk

Throughout the 2025–26 season, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/kylian-mbappe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kylian Mbappé</a> has established as the team’s most decisive player. After netting 38 goals, he has consolidated his place as the team’s top scorer, proving crucial against world-class opponents. However, the Frenchman has suffered an injury to his left knee that has created significant uncertainty. In response, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Madrid</a> legend Luis Figo decided to offer advice to the 27-year-old star on his recovery.



After missing the game against CD Osasuna, Mbappé was diagnosed with a sprained left knee. However, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/kylian-mbappe-could-be-out-longer-than-expected-as-real-madrid-star-reportedly-faces-serious-knee-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he is reportedly suffering from a partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament, which could keep him out longer than expected</a>. Despite these reports, Los Blancos remain optimistic about his return, expecting him to be back for the second leg against Manchester City. In light of this, Luis Figo decided to give Mbappé some advice on his recovery.



“Mbappé’s injury is really a matter of seeing, on a personal level, what the player truly feels. Whether he can take the risk or not, and if by taking that risk he might suffer worse consequences… In my case, on some occasions, I pushed myself and it didn’t go so well, but it was always because I wanted to be present on the pitch… Afterwards, those sacrifices take their toll,” Figo said, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.



Following Rodrygo’s season-ending ACL and meniscus injury, fans have been urging caution in managing Mbappé’s health, a concern reinforced by Figo’s words. Nevertheless, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/kylian-mbappe-injury-twist-alvaro-arbeloa-provides-update-on-real-madrid-stars-recovery-as-controversial-expected-return-date-emerges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coach Álvaro Arbeloa offered a positive update, raising hope for a mid-March return</a>. However, this optimism also brings concerns about a potential relapse that could sideline him of the 2026 World Cup and the next season.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/01/01125750/Kylian-Mbappe-1920x1080.webp" alt="Real Madrid&apos;s Kylian Mbappe celebrating a goal." class="wp-image-613121"><figcaption>Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring a goal in LaLiga.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Real Madrid face serious doubts as injuries hit several star players</h2>



Unlike previous seasons, Los Blancos have suffered several injuries to key players such as Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão and now Rodrygo Goes. Far from ACL injuries being an isolated incident, Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba have also suffered this injury in recent years. In addition, Real Madrid are dealing with constant player injuries, generating significant doubts among fans regarding the club’s medical services.


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Seeking to distance all criticism and rumors, coach Álvaro Arbeloa explained that the decision to have a second opinion on the injuries of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé came from the club itself. With this, he rules out any lack of trust from the players in the medical staff. What still remains unaddressed, however, are the constant injuries to the team’s stars, which raise doubts regarding physical preparation and the workload of matches.

Real Madrid legend Luis Figo makes bold suggestion to Kylian Mbappe amid his injury: ‘Those sacrifices take their toll’

Kylian Mbappe headlines Real Madrid’s list of six injured stars with Man City Champions League clash on the horizon

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Real Madrid legend Luis Figo makes bold suggestion to Kylian Mbappe amid his injury: ‘Those sacrifices take their toll’ - World Soccer Talk

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lionel Messi</a> has been an example of professionalism since he started representing <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/barcelona/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barcelona</a> 20 years ago. He was even the main star of a star-studded Argentina U-20 that won the World Cup in the Netherlands. But according to Fernando Llorente, their preparation wasn’t ideal.



Llorente joined a roundtable to talk about the importance of hydration that included the likes of Luis Figo. The former striker, who finished right behind Messi in the top scoring list at the 2005 U-20 World Cup with five goals before Spain were taken out in the quarterfinals, revealed a rare habit that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a> players were said to have.



When talking about his past experiences, he said: “To tell a story, I remember when he played against Messi’s Argentina in the U-20. It was said that they were allowed to drink Coca-Cola with the meals, but we couldn’t. They eliminated us, they sent us home, and they moved on. In the teams I’ve been on, we weren’t allowed to drink things like that.”



<h2>Figo also talked about hydration</h2>



Figo was probably the main name among the participants at the roundtable. The former Barcelona and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Madrid</a> star also won a Ballon d’Or, capping a career marked by talent and a controversial move between the giants. Just like Llorente did, he spoke about the topic from his experience.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/02/10164219/figo-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-620742"><figcaption>Figo went from Barcelona to Real Madrid as a player (Angel Martinez/Getty Images for Laureus)</figcaption></figure>



The Portuguese spoke in general terms about elite teams and performance, linking physical preparation to consistency on the pitch. His comments were framed within the broader discussion about hydration and recovery in modern soccer.


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For him the change needed is easy to see: “Real Madrid need to hydrate more to play better. It gives you mental health, performance, and better recovery, because they have talent.”



<h2>Figo on his preparation as a player</h2>



It’s clear that what Figo did as a player worked for him, because his performance was higher than most. But the Portuguese recalled that during his time there was reluctance to change a routine that already seemed to work.



Figo said: “In a world of high competition I’ve only had a nutritionist since 2004. With the habits of hydration and nutrition I had, when you contact a nutritionist you are one step behind because if you had some habits that worked for you, altering that routine makes you wonder if it’s the best for you.”

Lionel Messi’s Argentina U-20 World Cup team had a rare habit, reveals Spain icon Fernando Llorente

Lionel Messi’s Argentina U-20 World Cup team had a rare habit, reveals Spain icon Fernando Llorente - World Soccer Talk

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