Real Madrid president Florentino Perez hopeful of Spain winning World Cup

Real Madrid's president Florentino Perez on Sunday said he is hopeful of Spain winning the football World Cup.

"Spaniards are very happy with their team which we believe is the strongest in our history," Perez told a press conference at the end of a three-day visit to Jordan.

"Therefore, we wish and hope this team will win the World Cup," he said.

Spain beat Chile 2-1 Friday and advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup. The Spanish team is due to meet Portugal on Tuesday.

Perez visited Jordan to inaugurate a Real Madrid Academy for football and basketball, the first the reputable Spanish club has established in the Middle East.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Real Madrid chief said that his club's message went beyond winning football matches to promulgating a message of peace and solidarity among peoples.

"Real Madrid's school seeks to turn this popular game into a mechanism for peace, unity and solidarity among peoples," Perez said.

"Young people all over the globe, who love Real Madrid, have dreams which we should work together to ensure they come true," he said at the ceremony that was attended by Prince Ali, head of Jordan's Football Association and Real Madrid player Esteban Granero.

He said that his visit to Jordan set the stage for cooperation between Real Madrid and the Jordan Football Association.