Florentino Perez's disparaging comments about the good and the great of Real Madrid's recent past have surprised no one in Spain.
The president and the club's legends don't get on, but everyone plays the game when it suits them and that is probably not going to change any time soon.
Perez calling Iker Casillas and Raul the two 'great frauds' of the club's history in a private conversation 15 years ago will not shake the foundations because the players know very well what he thought of them at the time, having recently stood down as Real Madrid president.
Florentino Perez's disparaging comments about Real Madrid greats have surprised no one
Iker Casillas (R) and Raul (L) knew what the club's president thought of them at the time
In the recorded conversations Perez was speaking two months after he had quit after three trophyless seasons at the club.
In his resignation press conference in 2006 he had admitted 'spoiling the players' but as the audios reproduced by El Confidencial also illustrate, Perez retained affection and respect for his foreign imports (calling Beckham and Zidane 'good guys'). It was the local lads he could not abide.
This has been reflected over the years by the way so many have left the club without the ceremony they felt they deserved.
Vicente del Bosque - the latest victim of the Florentino files (he calls him 'zoquete' which translates as 'blockhead') was fired in a corridor having just won the league in 2003.
Perez retained affection for his foreign imports, calling Beckham (R) and Zidane (L) 'good guys'
The captain from that era, Fernando Hierro, was forced out the same summer with a farewell not befitting one of the club's most decorated and admired leaders.
Raul went in similar fashion to Hierro having to wait three years for his farewell benefit game at the Bernabeu.
And Casillas gave a teary farewell press conference on his own when he left, so upset was he with his president. Only for another press conference, this time with Perez sat alongside him, hurriedly arranged for the following day to save face.
Sergio Ramos is the latest Spanish captain to leave Madrid on bad terms. First there was an offer, then, when it was finally accepted by Ramos, the club said it had expired and so off he went. Another legend gone.
'He's like a father/son to me' was the stock quote from both Ramos and Perez over the years whenever a contract wrangle had been settled after lengthy disagreement and some flirting with Manchester United on Ramos' part thrown in for good measure.
Former boss Vicente del Bosque was fired in a corridor having just won the league in 2003
The captain from that era, Fernando Hierro, was forced out the same summer as del Bosque
It always rang hollow – the 'happy families' image thinly veils the turmoil between Perez – who it should not be forgotten has changed the club's statutes making it harder for anyone to replace him as president – and the players who, courtesy of their popularity with supporters, have, as Perez sees it, too much power.
