The upcoming Real Madrid presidential election has taken an unexpected turn after candidate Enrique Riquelme publicly outlined the key pillars of his campaign while directly questioning several aspects of Florentino Perez’s leadership.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Riquelme explained why he decided to enter a race that many observers believe will be extremely difficult to win. 

Despite Perez’s long-standing control of the club, the presidential hopeful insists some issues need to be openly discussed, particularly regarding transparency, spending and the future ownership structure of Real Madrid.

“Well, that’s probably exactly why. Twenty years without elections. It’s a project I’ve been working on for a long time, hoping to be able to help Real Madrid whenever it was needed.

“We realise that the club is at risk of being sold—and without any opposition, without a plan.

“I told them first: listen, this is a red line. And we’re not going to allow it. Many members cannot allow this.

“We’re not doing this for fun anymore. We’re doing it out of an ethical and moral obligation. 

“There are very few people who meet the requirements to run. Many people know it’s a risk and understand the reasons for opposing Florentino Perez. 

“But I don’t care, because in the end, I’m a Madridista. I’m a member of Real Madrid.”

Riquelme outlines election promises

While acknowledging the scale of the challenge ahead, Riquelme remains confident that his campaign can gain support among club members.

The candidate believes his platform offers a clear alternative and claims that his team has developed a series of proposals to strengthen the relationship between the club and its members.

“Absolutely. Not only do we have a real chance, but we’re the only ticket with concrete proposals. 

“First, on the social front, putting the member at the centre of everything. We’ve put forward dozens of concrete proposals for members.

“Then there’s the financial plan, where we need to bring in more revenue. That’s being handled well, but there are some absurd expenses. 

“There are over 140 million euros in non-sports-related expenses, which is absurd. There are many things that need to be done and carried out.”

Questioning the finances

A major focus of his criticism centred on Real Madrid’s finances and the cost associated with the Santiago Bernabeu redevelopment.

Riquelme questioned whether supporters have been given the full picture regarding the club’s financial situation, saying:

“If you’re saying this is the club with the highest revenue, the best club, is there something he hasn’t told you? 

“There’s something financially unclear because the debt hasn’t even begun to be paid off yet.

“Of the 1.7 billion the stadium cost, is there anything else? If there is, now is the time to say so, because we have solutions if there’s a financial problem.

“What can’t happen is that of the club’s approximately 1.2 billion budget, 45% goes to sports expenses and 55% to non-sports expenses—to corporate expenses.

“The norm for a top-tier European club is 80% for sports-related expenses and 20% for corporate expenses. Here, there’s a huge difference.”

The European Super League project

Riquelme also addressed Florentino Perez’s long-standing involvement in the European Super League project and argued that Real Madrid should focus on protecting its own interests when dealing with football’s governing bodies.

Sharing his view on the controversial project, he said, 

“Let’s see, if Real Madrid is the club that generates the most revenue and contributes the most in terms of television rights, I understand that we need to put pressure on UEFA, the Spanish Football Federation, La Liga, FIFA, and all international organizations that provide or could provide revenue for Real Madrid so that we get as much as possible, because we really are the ones who generate the most.

“What cannot happen is the creation of a vehicle where the owners are groups very close to Florentino Pérez on a personal level. 

“The club is being used to create a competition, but the ownership is at the personal level of people close to him, and he drags everyone in and announces it as he does, against everyone’s interests, harming Real Madrid.”

Questioning Anas Laghrari

Regardless of whether Riquelme can seriously threaten Perez’s position, his campaign is already bringing attention to issues that have rarely been debated publicly around Real Madrid.

One of the strongest examples involves businessman Anas Laghrari, whose role around the club has become a recurring point of discussion among critics of the current leadership.

Riquelme made it clear that transparency is his primary concern and called for greater clarity regarding Laghrari’s involvement.

“Because there is a lack of clarity. He is making decisions at the club and we are concerned about how one person is bypassing all the usual channels and is a member, a delegate and a season-ticket holder without any transparency.

“He does not hold a specific position at the club and we see that, furthermore, through his private companies, he is leading all the processes that are destroying Real Madrid, including now the sale of the club.

“If nothing is going on, there’s no problem. Let this man come forward and explain how things stand. Well, there’s no problem, but that’s not what’s happening.”