Florentino Pérez Admits Regret Over Sale of Prolific Real Madrid Academy Striker
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has openly admitted his regret over the club’s decision to sell a homegrown striker who scored 32 goals last season. Speaking at a recent press conference, Pérez revealed that the transfer—approved by both himself and manager Carlo Ancelotti—is now viewed as a significant mistake, given the player’s outstanding performances since leaving the club.
While Pérez did not name the striker, the player’s roots in Real Madrid’s esteemed youth academy make his departure even more painful for the club. Initially, the sale was seen as a strategic move, potentially to create space for new signings or adjust the team’s tactical setup. However, his success elsewhere has led to internal reflection on whether Real Madrid underestimated his potential.
“He scored 32 goals last season, and it’s a big regret that I agreed with Ancelotti to sell him,” Pérez admitted, highlighting the unpredictability of player development and the difficulties of talent management.
This situation echoes past controversial transfer decisions made by Real Madrid. For example, the 2013 sale of Mesut Özil to Arsenal sparked widespread criticism, with then-teammate Sami Khedira openly questioning Pérez’s reasoning. Similarly, this latest regret may prompt the club to rethink how it handles academy graduates and player retention.
Moving forward, Real Madrid may adopt a more cautious approach when selling homegrown talent, ensuring they do not lose key contributors who could play vital roles in the club’s long-term success.