Real Madrid intensifies feud with Spanish journalist over TV accusations
In the early hours of the day the Bernabéu‑based club uploaded a 3‑minute‑14‑second video to its official channels, a silent montage that opened with an ABC opinion piece titled “Real Madrid, at war”. The clip contained no caption, letting the images speak for themselves as the dispute with the Spanish journalist unfolded.
Video posted without accompanying text
The video, shared on Real Madrid’s social‑media accounts, immediately displayed the ABC article by Juanma Castano, a reporter for COPE, before cutting to a series of past broadcasts. By omitting any explanatory text, the club forced viewers to confront the journalist’s own words and the club’s rebuttal in a stark, unmediated format.
Club brands journalist's comparison deplorable
Real Madrid described Castano’s description of its channel as “absolutely deplorable and unacceptable”, warning that it reserved the right to take “whatever measures it deemed appropriate”. Castano later apologised for likening Real Madrid TV to “the Gara newspaper of ultra‑Florentinismo”, yet he maintained that the outlet “lies, manipulates and harasses”. The club’s video replayed this claim, positioning it as the thread that ties the whole dispute together.
Video revisits journalist's past criticisms
One early clip showed Toni Kroos reacting to Castano’s suggestion that Enrique Riquelme’s presidential campaign wanted to recruit the German, replying with three Pinocchio emojis – a moment the club presented as a direct rebuttal. The montage then jumped to 2018, when Castano described a late penalty awarded to Lucas Vázquez against Juventus as a “scandal of global proportions”. It also highlighted his praise of Barcelona’s 6‑1 comeback over PSG, calling it “a date for the history of sport”, which prompted Isco to tweet “One profession, two different standards. Shameful”.
Further excerpts featured Castano’s harsh take on Vinícius Júnior, declaring the Brazilian “has no solution” and would never be admired unless he supported Real Madrid. The video juxtaposed this with the club’s own footage, accusing the journalist of the very “singling out” and “harassing” he alleged. It also recalled an interview with Athenea del Castillo, where Castano asked whether she was a fascist after she was dubbed “Athenea del Caudillo”. She replied, “It’s disrespectful, but I don’t care. I laugh about it. If they think calling me ‘Athenea del Caudillo’ or saying I play on the far right is going to hurt me, they’re very wrong.”
Ana Peleteiro later responded to Castano’s claim that “footballers can’t get up at night to look after their children”, writing, “How dangerous it is to turn a personal decision into a universal truth”. The club closed the montage with the line, “A journalist known to everyone who continues to lecture others should look at himself in ”.
Real Madrid amplifies dispute on social media
Following the release, Real Madrid’s official statement reiterated the “absolutely deplorable” nature of the remarks and confirmed that the club would continue to use its platforms to highlight what it sees as unfounded attacks. By broadcasting the video across its channels, the Spanish capital club has turned a private grievance into a public denunciation, signalling that the war of words is far from over.