Following two trophy-less seasons, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has called for early elections to appease the growing frustration within the Santiago Bernabeu. For the first time in two decades, Perez is facing a genuine challenger in the 37-year-old renewable energy entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme. Riquelme has launched a campaign centered around bold and often controversial promises, creating a firestorm in the football world by publicly claiming he will sign Manchester City stars Erling Haaland and Rodri if elected. His remarks have now prompted Manchester City to threaten potential legal action.
During a live Spanish television appearance on Wednesday, Riquelme held up a Real Madrid jersey with Haaland’s name on it. He claimed, "Haaland has a release clause in his contract and he wants to come to Real Madrid. As soon as I am elected president, he will wear the white jersey." He did not stop there, targeting City`s defensive midfielder Rodri as well, adding, "We have spoken to Rodri’s agent. Real Madrid needs to strengthen this position, and if I become president, he will arrive."
Manchester City has reacted with fury to the unauthorized use of their players in Riquelme’s campaign. Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, and agent Rafaela Pimenta released a joint statement dismissing the reports as entirely false and purely sensationalist entertainment. City issued a sharp rebuke, stating, "The claims being made in Spain regarding Haaland are completely baseless. No such clause exists in his contract. We are seriously considering legal action against the misuse of our player’s image in this dirty campaigning." Rodri, currently 29, has remained calm, stating he will address his future only after the World Cup concludes.
Riquelme is attempting to unseat the 79-year-old Perez by offering extravagant gifts to club members (Madridistas). He has promised to build a massive "Members City" around the Real Madrid complex, featuring luxury swimming pools, padel courts, and a basketball arena. He has even floated the unrealistic proposal of waiving 50 percent of the annual membership fees if the team fails to win the UEFA Champions League next season.
Furthermore, Riquelme has vehemently opposed Perez`s plan to bring back Jose Mourinho as the new manager. While a Perez victory would likely confirm Mourinho’s appointment, Riquelme is pushing Jurgen Klopp as his marquee candidate for the bench. Perez’s camp has dismissed Riquelme’s promises as cheap and unrealistic. Acknowledging the disappointment of a trophy-less season, Perez stated on Wednesday, "You cannot win in football every time. The Club World Cup meant our players couldn`t have a proper pre-season, and we suffered from nearly 30 injuries at the start of the season, which hampered our entire year."
The election campaign has turned so toxic that when Riquelme was giving a live interview on the popular show El Hormiguero, Perez’s team purchased advertising slots to announce Jose Mourinho as their new coach, effectively mocking Riquelme’s plans in real-time. With Manchester City’s legal threats, the battle between Mourinho and Klopp, and the clash between Haaland and potential signings like Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries, this Real Madrid election has become the most thrilling domestic drama in Spanish football history, even before a single vote is cast.
