Real Madrid president always seems to get his man
When Zinedine Zidane became the latest glittering object of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez's affections, the Juventus star's transfer to the Spanish giant became simply a matter of time.
When Zinedine Zidane became the latest glittering object of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez's affections, the Juventus star's transfer to the Spanish giant became simply a matter of time.
In the space of 12 months Perez has masterminded the two biggest transfers in soccer history, following up last year's stunning $56-million capture of Luis Figo with Monday's amazing reported $64.9-million signing of 29-year-old Zidane.
While the audacity of both transfers left the world of soccer abuzz, seasoned Real-watchers were not surprised. Perez, a 54-year-old construction tycoon, is a man used to getting his own way.
The transfers of Figo and Zidane followed Perez's remarkable achievement in winning the presidency of Real during a hard-fought election campaign last year.
His predecessor, Lorenzo Sanz, had enjoyed a glittering reign as Real president, overseeing successful European Cup triumphs in 1998 and 2000.
Sanz's position as top dog looked unshakable - until Perez launched a bold election campaign centered around a promise to lure Figo from Real's despised rival Barcelona if he was elected president.
The opportunity for the Real membership to plunge a collective dagger into the heart of the hated Catalonian enemy proved too tempting to turn down: Perez was elected and Figo followed.
"It is only right that the best player in the world should play for the best club in the world," a jubilant Perez crowed after securing the signature of Figo.
With Figo in the bag and taking pride of place on Real's all-star mantle, Perez started casting around for another high-profile bauble to adorn the Bernabeu.
Unsurprisingly Zidane, reportedly keen on a move to his Spanish wife's homeland, soon came into the Real president's crosshairs.
Unruffled by Juventus' repeated statements that Zidane was not for sale at any price - and unconcerned by the small detail that the French midfield maestro was under contract to the Turin giant until 2005 - Perez went after his prey with vigor.
Even with Juventus refusing to budge from the official line that Zidane was not going anywhere, Perez and Real refused to give up, and few at the club doubted that the transfer would eventually come off.
"We know from the past what our president will do to get somebody if he wants them," Real's Spanish international Raul explained before the signing. "Last year he said he wanted to buy Luis Figo, and nobody said he could do it - but Figo is now at Madrid. Now Perez wants Zidane and he will do everything he can to get him."
As recently as last week, Juve again sought to fend off Real's interest with blunt denials. But eventually Perez's persistence paid off - and on Monday he finally got his man.
Now the question every top club in the world will be nervously asking themselves is simple - after snapping up Figo and Zidane, who will Perez go after next?