Florentino Perez triggers Real Madrid presidential election as legendary chief eyes a seventh term

Perez has been the club's president for five consecutive terms since 2009, last being elected in 2021. He has called for all board members to meet on Tuesday January 7 to begin the process for the 2025 vote.

Perez has overseen remarkable success at Madrid since taking charge in 2009, having also served as president from 2000 to 2006. On his watch, the club have won La Liga and the Champions League seven times each, becoming champions of Europe in six of the last 11 seasons. He is renowned for his Galactico recruitment, bringing global superstars Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and several other iconic names to the club.

In a statement, Real Madrid said: "The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez, calls the meeting of the club's Board of Directors on January 7, 2025, at 5:30pm, in order to begin the election process for the president and Board of Directors for the next four years."

The presidential campaigns and election will take place in the background as Real Madrid aim to compete on all fronts on the pitch in the second half of the season. Carlo Ancelotti's side sit second in La Liga, one point behind city rivals Atletico Madrid, but are far less comfortable in the Champions League table, where they are 20th and have work to do to avoid an embarrassing early exit.