After Real Madrid's impressive 3-0 victory over Girona, club president Florentino Perez made a surprise visit to the team's locker room.
He aimed to personally congratulate the players and coaching staff for a performance that he believes shows the team is on the right path towards success.
Perez took the opportunity to express his full backing for the project under Carlo Ancelotti's leadership. He made it clear that this is the kind of Madrid the club wants to see on the pitch.
"This is the Madrid we want," he told the players as quoted by Real Madrid Confidencial
His visit came at a significant time, as the team had just earned a vital win that helped to erase the memories of a heavy defeat to Athletic Bilbao, a result that had left many questioning the team's direction.
The win in Girona was a statement of intent. Goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, and Kylian Mbappe secured the three points, and Real Madrid demonstrated a defensive resilience that had been lacking in previous weeks.
Real Madrid's success in Girona puts them in touching distance of first place. Should they win their postponed match against Valencia, they will overtake Barcelona, who dropped points after drawing with Betis.
The team's victory showed that they are more than capable of competing at the highest level, with both attacking power and defensive stability.
Meanwhile, Perez's visit to the locker room was seen as an important gesture of support.
Sources close to the team suggest that even Ancelotti was surprised by the show of confidence from the president, especially after a period of challenging results.
His presence reinforced his belief that the squad has the quality and determination to fight for every title this season.
This visit not only motivated the players but also strengthened the connection between the board, the coaching staff, and the team, ahead of a busy and decisive part of the season.