In a recent address, the president of UEFA reflected on the enduring nature of football, contrasting it with the transient role of its administrators. “Leaders come and go, but football continues, season after season. Football cannot be bought or sold; it belongs to everyone,” he stated, emphasizing the sport’s universal and immutable character.
Following the organization’s congress, Aleksander Ceferin provided a comprehensive review of the proceedings and the significant accord reached with Real Madrid and the European Club Association. Reiterating the core message from his speech, he affirmed, “Football is happier for what has transpired. United we are stronger,” a principle he identified as the foundational ethos for both UEFA and European football’s operations.
Addressing Financial Influence and Sporting Merit
When questioned about the substantial financial injections from sheikhs and billionaires into their clubs, Ceferin pointed to a current sporting reality to frame his response. “The reality indicates that the present champion of the Champions League is French,” he remarked, presenting this as an indisputable fact that contextualizes the debate on financial power within the sport.
Concluding his commentary, the UEFA president addressed inquiries regarding a potential future visit to the Spanish capital. Expressing openness to the idea, he simply stated, “Why not,” when asked about his return to the Bernabéu.