Super-rich businessman is ‘ready’ to take on Florentino Perez and win the Real Madrid presidency election
A super-rich businessman is getting ready to challenge Florentino Perez in the next Real Madrid presidential election.
At a surprising press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Perez, the current president, said he asked Real Madrid’s board to begin a new election, even though he was re-elected without any opposition just this past January 2025.
“I have asked the Board to start the election process for the new Board of Directors, including the current one,” he said.
“If anyone wants to run, now is your chance. But don’t hide in the shadows with rumors or news stories.”
Perez has been Real Madrid’s president for 23 years since 2000, with a short break after he resigned in 2006 before coming back in 2009. Under his leadership, the team has enjoyed huge success on the field.
The 79-year-old hasn’t faced any challengers since he began his second term, mainly because very few people have the money needed to run for president.
That could be changing soon.
Enrique Riquelme, a businessman from Alicante and president of the global water and energy company Grupo Cox, is reportedly ready to enter the race, according to MARCA.
He wasn’t caught off guard by Perez’s sudden announcement on Tuesday.
Spanish news source El Confidencial even says Riquelme has already secured the funding needed to run and that his team includes former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Riquelme is also said to have attended a club members’ event back in April, although details about that event are still unclear.
Running for president at Real Madrid isn’t easy. The club has strict rules.
Candidates must have a bank guarantee for about 15% of Real Madrid’s current budget — roughly €189 million — which needs approval from both the candidate and the board. According to club rules and Spanish law, the bank must confirm that this guarantee comes only from the personal wealth of the candidate.
They also need to have been a club member for at least 20 years before they can run.
Plus, the candidate must be Spanish. Perez stirred some controversy when he said a potential challenger, believed to be Riquelme, spoke with a “funny accent… South American, or Mexican” during his press conference. Also, candidates can’t be working for another club when they apply.
So, the stage seems set for an interesting election ahead!