Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has stated he has already secured agreements with two “major international stars” should he win the upcoming election on June 7th, according to reports from Diario AS. Riquelme is challenging incumbent Florentino Perez, marking the first contested election at the club in two decades.
Riquelme presented a €187m bank guarantee on Saturday, fulfilling the requirement to participate in the election. He has launched his campaign with a focus on financial transparency and a critique of Perez’s recent decisions, including the ongoing renovations at the Santiago Bernabeu, which Riquelme claims have resulted in a diminished fan experience despite a €1.7 billion investment.
The candidate has also challenged Perez to a public debate regarding the proposal to sell a portion of the club and convert members into shareholders, a move Riquelme argues prioritises financial interests over the supporters. He further criticised the club’s finances, alleging annual losses of €80m without asset sales and questioning the €45m annual expenditure on Real Madrid TV.
Beyond finances, Riquelme addressed the footballing side of the club, praising Jurgen Klopp and suggesting the dismissal of Xabi Alonso was a mistake. He confirmed that he has two players lined up to join Real Madrid, promising to reveal their identities in the coming weeks. RadioMarca report that Klopp is Riquelme’s primary managerial target, though Raul Gonzalez, formerly of Real Madrid Castilla, is considered a more realistic option.
The election promises a significant shift in direction for the club, with Riquelme positioning himself as a reformer focused on member interests and a return to traditional values. Should he succeed, the two confirmed signings would represent the first tangible evidence of his vision for the future of Real Madrid.
