Key Takeaways:
- Enrique Riquelme has confirmed two international star signings are secured if he is elected president
- Riquelme formally launched his campaign after submitting a €187m bank guarantee on Saturday
- The vote for Real Madrid presidency is set for Sunday, 7th June, with Riquelme challenging incumbent Florentino Perez
Campaign Launch and Financial Promises
Real Madrid presidential hopeful Enrique Riquelme has announced bold ambitions for the club’s future, including the arrival of two international football stars should he secure victory in the upcoming elections. The rare presidential contest pits Riquelme against current president Florentino Perez, as Los Blancos prepare for their first election in two decades.
Riquelme has officially entered the race by presenting a €187m bank guarantee on Saturday, fulfilling the requirements to stand in the election. The decisive vote will be held on Sunday, 7th June. In a statement outlined during his campaign launch, Riquelme said, “As we stated during the pre-campaign, we would run only if we had a platform that was tremendously powerful and inspiring for the Madridismo… and we have it. We will present, by far, the greatest project for the members in 120 years – the greatest transformational project in Real Madrid’s history.”
🚨💣 Enrique Riquelme: “I have TWO WORLD STARS already SIGNED for Real Madrid.
I will probably announce their names during these 2 WEEKS.” @abc_es pic.twitter.com/YhzXNk10lo
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) May 25, 2026
Critique of Incumbency: Stadium and Finances Under Scrutiny
Beyond his own platform, Riquelme has voiced notable criticism of Florentino Perez’s decisions, particularly regarding the Santiago Bernabeu renovation, which has significantly exceeded its original budget. He challenged the project’s results by stating, “Seats packed closer together, smaller—you have to leave 10 minutes before half-time just to buy a drink and a snack… Is this the renovation after €1.7 billion?”
In a recent interview with ABC, Riquelme invited Perez to participate in a public debate, targeting the incumbent’s proposal to sell a percentage of the club and transform members into shareholders. He added, “Let him bring forward his privatisation proposal, and I will be able to debate our views on it – why we support it, or why we do not. And based on that, the members will be able to decide.”
Riquelme further accused Perez of neglecting club members, highlighting issues with current spending, such as €45m annually on RMTV, and broader financial concerns, including reported losses of €80m per year excluding player sales.
Football Ambitions: Star Signings and Managerial Plans
The central issue for many Real Madrid supporters involves plans for the squad’s future. Riquelme believes it is pivotal to secure high-calibre talent and has disclosed that two major international stars have already been signed, pending his election win. “We have signed two international stars. two major international stars will play for Real Madrid,” he confirmed, indicating he intends to unveil their identities in the near future.
On the managerial front, RadioMarca has reported that Riquelme’s preferred choice is Jurgen Klopp, whilst the more realistic candidate is club legend Raul Gonzalez, who has been without a managerial role since his departure from the Castilla side in 2025.
Looking Ahead to the Election
As Sunday, 7th June draws closer, Real Madrid’s members are set to choose between continuity under Florentino Perez or a new era promised by Enrique Riquelme, who has already made major transfer commitments and outlined starkly different strategic priorities for the world-famous club.
