Real Madrid Set for Presidential Election with Multiple Candidates for the First Time Since 2009

May 21, 2026

Madrid, May 21: For the first time since 2009, Real Madrid’s presidential election may feature more than one candidate. Enrique Riquelme has indicated his intention to run against the current president, Florentino Pérez. He expressed surprise at Pérez’s sudden decision to call for elections last week.

The 79-year-old Pérez announced the election just 16 months after being re-elected for the fourth time since returning to power in 2009. Since then, no rival candidates have emerged, largely due to stringent requirements imposed on challengers.

According to a report by Xinhua, potential candidates must be Spanish nationals, have been club members for at least 20 years, and provide a bank guarantee equivalent to 15 percent of the club’s annual budget, which is approximately $215 million.

Riquelme, president of a renewable energy company, meets these criteria and acknowledged that Pérez’s decision has disrupted his plans. “We had no plans for today,” he stated, adding that he had been working on a strategy for 2028, but the election was called three years early.

Following Pérez’s announcement, Riquelme has only 10 days to secure the bank guarantee and formally submit his candidacy. “We understand these are the rules. We have no right to complain, but they have given us very little time,” he remarked.

Despite the tight timeline, Riquelme felt it was essential to challenge Pérez. “It is our moral and ethical duty to present something meaningful and inspiring. These could be the last elections for Real Madrid, as privatization is on the horizon,” he said.

Riquelme praised Pérez’s achievements during his 17-year tenure but suggested that the club needs a fresh perspective. “Like everything in life, there should be a change in cycles, and there must be a plan for the future. We will send everything to the electoral board tomorrow, but we will take the full time until Saturday to make a decision,” he noted.

Since returning to power in 2009, Pérez has faced no opposition, winning the last five elections uncontested. This is partly due to his continuous support from a large segment of club members, but the strict conditions imposed on presidential candidates have also discouraged other contenders from entering the race.