Florentino Perez and Ronaldo Nazario: Something more than friends

President, counsellor, boss and even godfather in a sumptuous castle on the outskirts of Paris. That's what Florentino Perez has been for Ronaldo Nazario, and on Saturday afternoon they will share a box at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. One as president of Real Madrid and the other as president and owner of Valladolid.

Ronaldo joined Real Madrid on August 31, 2002, after a summer full of negotiations, and which culminated with some photos of the Madrid president in the club offices trying to close a signing that began on board a boat on the island of Formentera in the first days of August.

Since then, the relationship between the two has always been very special.

Perez wanted only the best for his Galacticos.

First Luis Figo, then Zinedine Zidane and finally Ronaldo meant the culmination of the work.

The president always defended, and continues to do so, that the Brazilian was the best in his position, that there was no other equal.

The former Barcelona man scored goals and was decisive from the first moment, however, the Champions League that the Brazilian wanted so much never arrived.

Although Perez left the presidency of the club in 2006, the relationship between the two remained intact.

When the paths of one and another separated, the dialogue continued to exist, since the Brazilian considered his president to be more than just a manager of one of the many clubs he had had in his career.

Ronaldo hasn't hesitated to ask for advice in many situations and the president has always given his opinion.

Back at Real in 2016, the Brazilian became adviser to the president, and an ambassador - or whatever they wanted to call him.

He says he hasn't influenced the latest signings, but he did appear when he was needed, as happened at Vinicius' presentation.

Ronaldo lives in the capital of Spain and from here directs the presidency of Valladolid.

Neither he nor Perez have considered breaking the link that binds them.

When the former striker wanted to buy a club, he sought Florentino's advice, because he admires the one who he considers the best president he's ever worked under.