Age of the galácticos returns to Real Madrid

Pérez’s six year reign at the club from the turn of the millennium saw it become known for trying to sign the world’s most famous player every summer. Superstars such as Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane arrived for world transfer records, while England players David Beckham and Michael Owen were lured from Manchester United and Liverpool, and Brazil striker Ronaldo joined from Internazionale.

Early indications are that Pérez will pursue the same policy as his club seeks to overhaul great rivals Barcelona at the top of the Spanish and European game. “We will work to create a spectacular project, and that is to make Real Madrid the best club in the world once more,“ he said. “A club like Real Madrid needs to have several of the best players in the world and even though I can’t discuss names today, we have a spectacular project on the sporting side.“

The incoming Madrid president gave a bank guarantee of US$80 million as part of his election process, and is thought to favour moves for AC Milan’s Kaka and Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery over the club’s long-running pursuit of Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.