Florentino Perez: 'I haven't talked to Cristiano Ronaldo yet'

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is known for using the media to his advantage. In the summer of 2015, he admitted to preferring "informal" conversations with journalists to interviews.

Perez was re-elected as Real Madrid's president Monday and subsequently appeared on Onda Cero's "El Transistor," where he inevitably spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo, who is reportedly "outraged" and determined to leave Spain over what he perceives is unjust treatment from the country's tax authorities.

"I haven't talked to Cristiano Ronaldo yet," Perez admitted. The president also explained: "All this is very strange because Cristiano Ronaldo is a great guy as a player and as a person, so I'll talk to him when he returns and we'll see what happens."

Perez discussed the need to respect the "presumption of innocence," and said: "Ronaldo has always done things very well and has the same societal structure as when he played in England, where he spent many years without a problem." The president declared: "Everyone has to fulfill their fiscal obligations and I'm certain Cristiano always wants to comply." He stated his belief that "confusion that will soon be clarified," and maintained "neither I nor anyone from Real Madrid contemplates that he's going to leave."

Ronaldo is accused of defrauding the Agencia Tributaria of €14.7 million from 2011 to 2014. Asked if Real Madrid would pay the fine, Florentino answered: "That question's not appropriate," adding, "Cristiano wouldn't like it either."

Perez denied that Spain's tax agency is being forced to investigate the Portuguese footballer because of what happened to Lionel Messi, sentenced to 21 months in prison on three counts of tax fraud. In Spain, sentences of less than two years are usually suspended.

Perez confessed that he learned about Ronaldo's reported desire to leave Real Madrid from the media, and claimed that the two of them last spoke in Cardiff after the Champions League final.

Regarding discrepancies with the Agencia Tributaria, Perez declared: "I've had many discrepancies with La Hacienda personally and Real Madrid has also had many that were later won." In the president's opinion, "nothing happens because of discrepancies, the bad thing is when they start to say you are a criminal and maybe you've done nothing."

El Partidazo de COPE reported that Ronaldo feels alone and profoundly deceived by Perez after the Agencia Tributaria's accusation, but the president was quick to deny the report, stating: "It's not true what was published at the time when he 'was sad,' as we've always been delighted with him as a player and as a person. In fact, he says that we've never had a problem with him and it shows from receiving him in my office a lot of times."

Manchester United, where Ronaldo took the pitch for six years, is apparently watching with renewed interest, while Paris Saint-Germain is one of the clubs with enough financial muscle to offer a competitive package. But the phone is yet to ring at Real Madrid. "We haven't received any offer for Cristiano, or for (Alvaro) Morata or James (Rodriguez) as some in the media say."

In November, Ronaldo extended his contract until June 30, 2021.

Marca's front page for Tuesday features Perez reading a copy of the daily. The headline reads: "I have to talk with Cristiano."