A new challenger has emerged in the race for the Real Madrid presidency, with renewable energy entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme announcing his intention to unseat long-serving incumbent Florentino Perez. Riquelme has immediately made waves, claiming to have already secured the signatures of “two major international stars” should he be elected.
The upcoming election, triggered by Real Madrid initiating a 10-day period for candidates to present their bids, sets the stage for a rare contest against Perez, who was re-elected until 2029 last year and has served a combined 25 years at the helm. Riquelme, founder of Cox Energy and a close friend of tennis icon Rafael Nadal, is looking to inject fresh air into a debate that has seen little opposition to Perez for many years, especially after a trophyless season for the club.
Riquelme’s bold transfer and coaching promises
Riquelme’s most striking claim came in an interview with ABC, reiterated by MARCA, where he asserted, “I have signed two major international stars for Real Madrid.” He further elaborated, stating, “There is an agreement that if I am president of Real Madrid there are two major international stars who will play for Real Madrid and they are necessary for Real Madrid’s short-, medium-, and long-term sporting project.” When pressed on when these deals might be announced, Riquelme responded, “Probably yes,” referring to a timeline within the next two weeks.
Beyond player acquisitions, Riquelme also outlined his coaching preferences. While acknowledging Jürgen Klopp as his “dream” coach, MARCA reports that Raúl González is considered a more feasible option for his project. The candidacy is also reportedly monitoring Jose Mourinho’s situation at Benfica, where his €7 million release clause is set to expire on Tuesday. Missing this deadline would see the buyout fee increase to €15 million.
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Challenging the incumbent
Riquelme’s challenge comes with significant hurdles, not least the mandatory personal deposit of €187 million required to run. His father previously served as a club director during the presidencies of Ramon Calderon and Vicente Boluda between 2006 and 2009, giving Riquelme a familial link to the club’s past leadership.
The challenger has also been critical of Perez’s policies, particularly regarding the perceived lack of Spanish players signed by the club. “It is a sad day for Real Madrid, with no players called up by Spain for the World Cup,” Riquelme stated at an event in Valencia. He has also called for a debate with Perez’s candidacy, arguing that “the members should be able to hear different projects and decide which Madrid is the Madrid of the future.”
Despite the audacious claims, journalist Matías Prats believes Perez remains the overwhelming favourite. “I sincerely believe there is no contest. I see it as very lopsided. An 80-20 at most,” Prats told MARCA, acknowledging Perez’s strong institutional and sporting weight. However, Prats also noted that Riquelme “has money, enthusiasm, and has surrounded himself with trusted people,” suggesting a spirited contest, even if the odds are stacked against him.
Sources: www.marca.com, www.marca.com
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