Helguera says the atmosphere at Real was far happier under Florentino Perez than what now exists with current president Ramon Calderon.

The centre-half snapped: "There is a world of difference between the two presidents.

"With Florentino, despite not winning anything in three years, people were happy because he did very important things for the club. Under Florentino the club evolved, with Calderon it has retracted."

On sports director Pedja Mijatovic, Helguera was equally as scathing: "He isn't qualified to be a sports director. He doesn't know how to treat people.

"In comparison, Jorge Valdano was a gentleman."