Perez Critiques Club World Cup After Madrid's Trophyless Season

Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid, expressed concerns regarding the Club World Cup format after the team concluded a trophyless campaign. Real Madrid finished the season without major silverware, having been eliminated in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and suffering an early exit from the Copa del Rey.

The team also finished as runners-up to Barcelona in La Liga. Perez attributed the disappointing season to fixture congestion and a high number of injuries, with Real Madrid reportedly sustaining 28 separate injuries throughout the season.

He criticized the current scheduling, stating that the Club World Cup's calendar has hindered the team's ability to recover physically, as they have had to play every three days. Despite his criticism, Perez's comments drew backlash, given his previous strong support for FIFA's initiatives, including the Club World Cup, which is set to debut in 2025.

Real Madrid is expected to begin a rebuilding phase as they face a second consecutive year without trophies.