Amid a day charged with tension, Florentino Pérez visited the Real Madrid players and coaching staff at their team hotel in Seville just hours before facing Barcelona in the 2025 Copa del Rey Final at La Cartuja Stadium.

The club shared a photo on social media showing the Real Madrid president in a relaxed conversation with head coach Carlo Ancelotti, alongside the caption:

"The president with the team before the Copa del Rey final."

Full Support After a Turbulent Week

Florentino Pérez’s visit carries significant weight following a week full of controversy. Real Madrid made headlines by boycotting all official events organized by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in the lead-up to the final.

The club chose to skip the official press conference, cancel their scheduled training session at La Cartuja, and miss the protocol gala dinner, all in protest against the remarks made by match officials Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and Pablo González Fuertes, who spoke out about the pressure referees endure in Spanish football — comments that stirred discomfort within the Madrid leadership.

Focused on the Main Goal

The Real Madrid squad arrived in Seville on Friday afternoon and is staying at the NH Sevilla Collection hotel, located near the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. Just under five kilometers away from La Cartuja, the team is fully focused on the upcoming Clásico, which will determine the winner of the 2025 Copa del Rey.

Kickoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. ET in the United States), with expectations high for one of the most intense and emotionally charged matches of the season — both on and off the field.