The intense electoral contest for the presidency of Real Madrid continues to unfold dramatically. Following the validation of his candidacy, Alicante entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme established his campaign headquarters and granted a revealing interview to Diario ABC. During the discussion, the president of Grupo Cox hinted at what could be a significant development in the transfer market and delivered strong criticisms of Florentino Pérez’s administration.
A Major Transfer Revelation: Two Star Players Secured
Riquelme’s most notable declaration centered on next season’s squad planning, a strategy seemingly designed to attract Real Madrid voters with promises of world-class talent.
“We have successfully signed two international star players. If we emerge victorious in the election, two prominent figures will be playing for Real Madrid,” he stated with conviction.
The candidate indicated that he would “likely” disclose the identities of these footballers in the coming weeks. He also emphasized the necessity of appointing a sporting director and was highly critical of recent decisions regarding the coaching staff. He labeled Xabi Alonso’s departure a “mistake” and described Álvaro Arbeloa’s interim period as an unacceptable “experiment.” While refraining from confirming his preferred coach, Riquelme expressed profound admiration for Jürgen Klopp, commending his leadership abilities.
Preventing Privatization as a Core Principle
Beyond individual player names, Riquelme positioned the preservation of the club’s current ownership model at the heart of his campaign. The candidate issued a warning that these “could be the final elections” if statutory reforms are enacted that pave the way for external capital.
Consequently, he publicly challenged Florentino Pérez to a debate: “Let him present his privatization proposal, and the club members will have the opportunity to decide.” On this basis, he asserted that his candidacy represents the sole independent path, stressing that the substantial bank guarantee was entirely backed by his personal assets: “I am not beholden to any powerful figures.”
Financial Scrutiny and Neglect of Club Members
Finally, the businessman addressed the club’s societal obligations. He questioned how Real Madrid “incurs 80 million euros in losses annually,” which are then covered by extraordinary income, specifically highlighting Real Madrid TV’s high budget in contrast to its low viewership.
On the social aspect, he decried the lack of transparency in ticket resales and the relocation of long-standing season-ticket holders to higher sections of the Bernabéu to prioritize VIP boxes: “Why are the club members consistently treated as a low priority?” he concluded.
