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Real Madrid faces first contested presidential vote in 20 years
Enrique Riquelme, a 37-year-old renewables executive, has launched a campaign to unseat incumbent Florentino Pérez, promising to transform the club's Valdebebas training ground into a sprawling fan hub.
Riquelme's vision: 'The Members' City'
On Wednesday, Riquelme unveiled plans for La Ciudad del Socio-a multi-use complex featuring swimming pools, padel and tennis courts, a basketball arena, an exclusive hotel, and football pitches. The project aims to reconnect fans with the club, which he claims has grown distant under Pérez's leadership.
Riquelme also proposed a 15,000-seat arena to host concerts and Real Madrid's basketball team, though he did not disclose the project's cost or funding strategy.
Fan access and affordability at the core
The challenger pledged to halve membership fees and introduce a lottery system to allocate 10,000 season tickets, addressing a waiting list that has left some fans in limbo for years. "Real Madrid was a members' club in the 1950s," Riquelme said. "Between 2004 and 2026, the club lost its essence, and the members lost their voice."
Pérez's tenure under scrutiny
Pérez, 79, has led Real Madrid since 2009 and previously held the presidency from 2000 to 2006. His current term has been marred by two consecutive seasons without major trophies. Earlier this month, he called an extraordinary news conference to announce the election, where he criticized journalists and La Liga, alleging an "organized campaign" against him.
Pérez has also proposed creating a subsidiary to sell a 5% stake in the club to outside investors-a move Riquelme condemned as an attempt to "privatize" Real Madrid. Any such change would require approval from members at an extraordinary general meeting.
What's next
The election marks the first time Pérez has faced a challenger since taking office. The vote's timing and logistics have yet to be confirmed, but the campaign has already sharpened divisions over the club's future direction.
