Perez’s Remark to Modric After Barcelona Defeat

Following Real Madrid's humbling 5-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final, club president Florentino Perez sought to lift the spirits of the team. This loss, which marked a rare moment of vulnerability for the Madrid giants, left the players visibly disappointed during the post-match medal ceremony.

The match began with optimism for Real Madrid, as they took an early lead through Vinicius Junior. However, Barcelona quickly responded, dominating possession and exposing Real Madrid’s defensive frailties. By the end of the first half, Barcelona had turned the game around, leaving Madrid struggling to keep pace. Despite a late effort from Luka Modric to orchestrate a comeback, the Catalan side sealed their victory with a clinical attacking display.

During the medal ceremony, Perez approached Modric, who had been a key figure in Real Madrid's midfield despite the loss. Perez lightened the somber mood by telling Modric, "Sometimes, even champions have to lose finals." This comment, though brief, carried a motivational undertone, urging the team to learn from their mistakes and prepare for future challenges.

Modric later reflected on the match and Perez’s words. "Losing to Barcelona always stings, but it’s part of football. We’ll regroup and come back stronger," he said. The Croatian midfielder emphasized the importance of resilience, particularly with critical La Liga and Champions League fixtures on the horizon.

Real Madrid now turns its focus to their domestic and European campaigns, with players and management determined to recover their form. Perez’s faith in the team and Modric’s leadership will play crucial roles as they strive to turn this setback into motivation for the remainder of the season.