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He aims to dethrone Florentino Pérez with a bold transfer strategy. Is Real Madrid heading for a bitter power struggle?

Florentino Pérez faces competition in his bid for re-election as Real Madrid president, and his rivals are hoping to sway voters with two high-profile signings.

Spanish businessman Enrique Riquelme has confirmed he will run for president of Real Madrid in the forthcoming election, according to a letter sent to the club's election committee.

The president of the water and energy group Cox has until Saturday to formally submit his candidacy. Riquelme, 37, would be the first official challenger to Pérez, who has already announced his bid for re-election.

The deadline to submit presidential candidacies is 23 May. To qualify, hopefuls must have been club members for at least 20 years and post a €187 million guarantee—equivalent to 15% of the annual budget—secured by private assets. If more than one candidate meets these criteria, the electoral committee will oversee a members' vote.
According to El Confidencial, Riquelme is counting on two trump cards in the power struggle at Real Madrid. Firstly, he aims to win over voters with the high-profile signing of Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and is reported to have already made contact with the Norwegian through his network.
His second ace is reportedly Jürgen Klopp: Riquelme's adviser has already reached out to the German's camp, where he serves as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull. Meanwhile, a return to the Bernabéu dugout by José Mourinho this summer had seemed all but certain.

Getty Images Sport
Florentino Pérez delivers a memorable press conference at Real Madrid.
Following a chaotic season, Pérez announced fresh elections at a hastily arranged press conference. During the 64-minute event—marked by repeated verbal sparring with individual journalists—the 79-year-old denounced a "smear campaign" against him and a "conspiracy" by the media.
Los Blancos have now gone two campaigns without silverware for the first time since 2009/10.
The property developer first led Real Madrid between 2000 and 2006, returned unopposed in 2009, and has since been re-elected for four-year terms in 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025.

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Florentino Pérez delivers a memorable press conference at Real Madrid.

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