The exchange between Barcelona’s coach, Gerard Martino, and Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Perez, continues to fuel tensions in Spanish football. A few weeks ago, Martino criticized Real Madrid and Florentino Perez for the hefty investment in Gareth Bale, stating that the price paid for the player showed a lack of respect for the world.
In response, Florentino Perez, as a guest on a Cadena SER program, defended Real Madrid’s transfer philosophy and strongly rebuked Martino. He emphasized that Martino, being new to the scene, doesn’t understand how the transfer market works in Spain and accused him of being a demagogue. Perez went on to assert that Bale’s acquisition was in line with Real Madrid’s model of recruiting the best players of the moment, and he insisted that the cost of Bale wasn’t exorbitant.
The departure of Jose Mourinho for Chelsea during the summer did not seem to ease tensions between the two football powerhouses. The anticipation is building for the first Clasico of the season at the end of October, with the ongoing exchange suggesting a heated encounter on and off the pitch.
