In cinema, the phrase from The Godfather
“I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse”
is a symbol of power, money, and behind-the-scenes control.
But in today’s football world, that phrase clearly echoes in the name of one man—Florentino Perez.
He never raises his voice or shows anger,
but every move he makes shifts the balance of power.
In 2000, Florentino Perez ran against Lorenzo Sanz, who had just led the team to two European titles (1998, 2000) and seemed the favorite.
Perez campaigned with a single trump card: a promise to sign Luis Figo. When he won the election, the Figo deal happened immediately.
Luis Figo: From Barcelona to Madrid (2000)
• Transfer fee around 62 million euros (world record at the time)
The Figo deal was not "Barcelona agreeing to sell."
Rather, it used Spanish legal mechanisms. Barcelona did not negotiate a sale but was bound by sports law when Madrid paid Figo’s release clause plus a prior agreement. Perez’s team made a pre-contract with Figo’s agent before the election: if Perez won, Figo had to move, leaving no alternative.
This deal is seen as a “Godfather Move”—an offer that cannot be refused.
It contained every element of the phrase from The Godfather:
- Quiet negotiations before election day,
- Binding contracts with no backing out,
- Using the release clause law as a weapon,
- Shaking the power of a lifelong rival.
Perez did not force anyone with brute strength; he used structure to make the decision too easy to refuse.
That was the start of the “Galácticos” era.
Later came Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema,
and Xabi Alonso.
Perez led Madrid to about 37 trophies overall, becoming the president who brought the club the most UEFA Champions League titles. The most remarkable period was 2014–2018, winning the European championship 4 times in 5 years.
Although the phrase from The Godfather was never actually spoken, all of Europe seemed to hear it whispered softly,
“I’m not asking for permission.
I’m just making sure you have no choice.”
The Boss