Real Madrid President thanks his club’s fans in Kurdistan

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The President of Spanish football club Real Madrid on Wednesday said his team was in form and ready for the El Clasico match against La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Kurdistan 24 correspondent Shukur Mohammed was invited to have lunch at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium where he conducted a short interview with Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez.

Pérez said he was confident his Real Madrid team could compete against their rivals where a win would put Madrid eight points behind Barcelona—with a game in hand.

The Real Madrid President also thanked his club’s supporters in the Kurdistan Region, adding he “shared in their excitement” for the El Clasico.

In a previous interview, Pérez told Kurdistan 24 he had heard about the Kurds and Kurdistan during the war against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq.

Real Madrid will host Barcelona at the Bernabéu on Dec. 23 at 3:00 p.m. (Erbil) in La Liga’s first El Clasico matchup of the season.

In the 269 meetings between the two sides in all competitions, Barcelona has won 111 matches while Real Madrid has won 99.

However, in the 174 Spanish league encounters, Real Madrid edges it with 72 wins over Barcelona’s 69.

The teams have scored a combined total of 910 goals.

Saturday’s tie will not be without controversy as tensions between the two clubs has risen following Madrid’s 2017 FIFA Club World Cup triumph against Brazilian side Gremio.

The Real Madrid players, who return to Spain having won the trophy in Abu Dhabi, said they expect a guard of honor from Barcelona, a gesture the Catalan club’s players have refused.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

(Interview conducted by Kurdistan 24 correspondent Shukur Mohammed in Madrid, Spain)