Real Madrid President Florentino Perez could be facing an election for his position for the first time in over two decades, with businessman Enrique Riquelme emerging as a potential rival. Riquelme, who previously considered a run in 2020, was directly addressed by Perez during a press conference announcing the elections.
While Perez has run unopposed in the last five elections, Riquelme appears to be considering the challenge that Perez himself alluded to. Candidates have until Saturday, May 23rd, to formally declare their intentions.
Riquelme Confirms Bank Guarantee for Candidacy
One of the significant hurdles for any potential candidate is meeting the strict requirements for running for the presidency. These include being Spanish, a club member for at least 15 years, and securing a bank guarantee equivalent to 15% of the club’s budget (approximately €187 million) from their board members. Riquelme is among the few individuals who meet these stringent conditions. Speaking to Diario AS, the energy magnate stated, “Of course I have the guarantee, if not, I wouldn’t be talking about this. In two or three days, there will be news.”
Riquelme emphasized that any potential candidacy would be focused on benefiting Real Madrid long-term. “It has to be something good for Real Madrid. We’re not going to waste time. We’ll decide in the next few days. And if we do go, it will be for something that makes sense and that will be exciting for the members for the next 10, 15, or 20 years. The idea is to work, to work three more days, and if we are prepared, we will go without a doubt.”
Reports Indicate Riquelme Set to Run
Perez’s public mention of Riquelme was interpreted by some as a strategic move to potentially deter any challenge. However, initial reports from El Confidencial, later corroborated by Ramon Alvarez de Mon and Cadena SER, suggest that Riquelme has indeed decided to run.
Me cuentan que Enrique Riquelme estará en el torneo de la clínica Menorca esta tarde. Todo apunta a que pronto será oficial que se presentará a las elecciones del Real Madrid. pic.twitter.com/2j3NKjzelH
— Ramón Álvarez de Mon (@Ramon_AlvarezMM) May 18, 2026
In the coming days, Riquelme is expected to finalize his sporting project to present to the club members. If his candidacy is ratified on May 23rd, the election process will commence on May 25th, with the vote likely to take place within the subsequent 15 days, potentially on June 7th.
