Florentino Perez, the current president of Real Madrid, could be facing a presidential election for the first time in over two decades. Businessman Enrique Riquelme is emerging as a potential rival, having previously considered a run in 2020.
Perez himself brought up Riquelme’s potential candidacy during a press conference called for elections. While Perez has run unopposed in the last five elections, Riquelme appears to be considering the challenge that Perez alluded to. The deadline for candidates to declare their intentions is Saturday, May 23rd.
Riquelme Confirms Bank Guarantee
One of the significant hurdles for potential Real Madrid presidential candidates is the strict eligibility criteria. Aspiring presidents must be Spanish nationals, have been a club member for at least 15 years, and provide a bank guarantee equivalent to 15% of the club’s budget, which currently stands at approximately €187 million, along with their board members.
Riquelme is among the few individuals who reportedly meet these requirements. The energy magnate stated to Diario AS, “Of course I have the guarantee, if not, I wouldn’t be talking about this. In two or three days, there will be news.”
He further elaborated on his intentions, emphasizing that any decision would be beneficial for Real Madrid. “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 is Set to Run
Perez’s public mention of Riquelme’s potential challenge was seen by many as a strategic move to preemptively dissuade him. However, reports from El Confidencial, corroborated by Ramon Alvarez de Mon and Cadena SER, suggest that Riquelme has indeed made the decision to run.
Riquelme is expected to spend the coming days assembling a sporting project to present his case. If he formally submits his candidacy, it will be ratified on May 23rd. The election process would commence on May 25th, with voting scheduled to take place within the following 15 days, likely around June 7th.
