Florentino Perez has reflected that Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid’s Copa del Rey Final will be a ‘festival of football’ for the city of Madrid.
The Santiago Bernabeu plays host on Friday evening to the Cup final between Madrid’s largest two clubs.
In promoting the city’s bid to host the 2020 Olympics, both Perez and Atletico counterpart Enrique Cerezo attended an event in the city this week, to look ahead to the final.
“The city is going to experience a great festival of football. It is an honour,” Perez told reporters.
“We face an opponent that we love and respect thanks to the efforts of the squad, the staff and the energy of the fans I also want to congratulate Atletico for having come this far after an excellent season.
“These two entities have an historic rivalry marked by respect. We must be true to the best of our past. This final we will live with enthusiasm, excitement and some suffering.”
Cerezo also reflected on the occasion.
“For Atletico Madrid it is a source of pride to be here on the eve of the Cup final. Our rival is also from the capital of Spain, and it will be an interesting and beautiful match.
“Friday we will both be representing football for the whole world. I hope that this act will be the prelude to hosting the Olympic Games in Madrid in 2020.
“In a short time we will be able to say that Madrid is an Olympic city.
