What happened: Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez told El Chiringuito he has no intention of stepping down, declaring "I do NOT want to leave Real Madrid." He framed his continued tenure around a single objective: "I want to win MORE Champions League, that's the plan." The remarks were relayed by Fabrizio Romano on Tuesday.

Why it matters: The statement closes off speculation about a succession at the Bernabéu and reinforces Pérez's grip on the club's direction during a turbulent stretch. It lands alongside his public handling of the Valverde-Tchouaméni dressing-room leak and his combative defense of the club's Champions League pedigree. For rivals across Europe, a defiant Pérez signals continuity in Madrid's aggressive transfer posture and institutional muscle.

What to watch: Watch for follow-up reporting on Real Madrid's reported contacts with José Mourinho and how Pérez's stated Champions League ambition shapes the summer transfer window. Any formal statement from the club confirming the Chiringuito remarks would harden the timeline.