The romance is over. Florentino Pérez made that clear with his speech. The period in which Barcelona and Real Madrid maintained a cordial relationship based on sporting and financial interests has come to an end. There is no longer any need to pretend. Joan Laporta had already taken steps to distance himself by questioning the investigation launched by the TAD against Javier Tebas, just as he did with Ceferin and Barcelona’s position with UEFA, with the Super League in the background. Pérez confirmed the break during the Real Madrid Members’ Assembly with one of the most forceful speeches he has delivered.

A year ago, the Real Madrid president warned that the dynamic between the clubs was changing, with the ‘Negreira Case’ looming over everything. He promised that Real Madrid would pursue the matter until all facts were clarified. That stance did not go over well in Barcelona, and since then the clubs have been drifting apart, more distant than at any point in recent memory.

Laporta’s allies are not among Florentino Pérez’s preferred figures. Ceferin and Tebas, meaning UEFA and LaLiga, form part of Real Madrid’s list of public adversaries, with the Spanish Federation also present because of the Negreira scandal.

The most recent Clásico made it evident that the era of smiles and friendly gestures is long gone. Florentino Pérez has answered the sentiment within his fanbase, who have long believed that Barcelona and Real Madrid cannot even stand side by side anymore.

The tone of the Real Madrid president’s speech confirms the club’s stance. Real Madrid positions itself as owing nothing to anyone, independent of institutions, and intent on maintaining total and absolute autonomy. This has always been the club’s guiding principle, and it becomes more visible each day.

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