According to Managing Madrid, Real Madrid presidential hopeful Enrique Riquelme has made a dramatic entry into the club’s electoral race, promising the signings of Manchester City stars Erling Haaland and Rodri should he be elected. Riquelme, challenging long-time incumbent Florentino Pérez, unveiled a notarized personal guarantee exceeding €12 million, pledging to cover the annual membership fees of every Real Madrid socio if he fails to deliver on his transfer promises.
The bold claims, made during an appearance on the Spanish television program *El Hormiguero*, immediately drew a response from Haaland’s representatives. Agent Rafaela Pimenta and Haaland’s father, Alfie Haaland, swiftly denied any agreement, stating, “Very entertaining, but it’s not true. We wish both candidates the best in the Real Madrid elections.”
A high-stakes electoral gamble
Riquelme’s strategy directly mirrors Florentino Pérez’s successful 2000 campaign, where Pérez famously promised to sign Barcelona’s Luís Figo and pledged to reimburse season ticket holders if he failed. Riquelme’s modern equivalent comes with significantly higher stakes, encompassing two major acquisitions and extending financial compensation to the club’s entire membership base.
“I’ve signed a personal guarantee,” Riquelme declared. “If I don’t fulfill my promise of bringing the players I’ve announced, I will pay 100% of the membership fees of Real Madrid’s members.”
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The financial commitment is substantial. With just over 98,000 registered members, and most adult members paying an approximate annual fee of €174, the potential cost of Riquelme’s guarantee if he fails to sign Haaland and Rodri is roughly €12.3 million. Both Haaland and Rodri are currently key players for Premier League champions Manchester City.
Beyond player promises
Riquelme’s campaign extends beyond high-profile transfers, focusing on club governance and future development. He has vowed that Real Madrid will remain under member ownership, stating, “I commit that if I’m president, the club will belong to its members.”
Among his other proposals are:
- Appointing club legends Raúl González as sporting director and Fernando Hierro as head of the academy system.
- Creating a new “Members’ City” in Valdebebas.
- A temporary 50% reduction in membership fees until the club wins another Champions League title.
While making these ambitious pledges, Riquelme confirmed he would not consider José Mourinho as coach, emphasizing that the president’s role is to “put the right people in the right positions and let them work,” rather than deciding lineups.
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As the Real Madrid presidential campaign heats up, Riquelme’s audacious promises, backed by a significant personal financial risk, set a dramatic tone against the established tenure of Florentino Pérez, even as the immediate targets of his pledges cast doubt on their feasibility.
Sources: www.managingmadrid.com, www.voxmedia.com, www.voxmedia.com
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