‘I urge the members not to be afraid’: Enrique Riquelme files candidacy for Real Madrid presidential elections | OneFootball

Real Madrid are gearing up for its first presidential election since 2006, as announced by Florentino Perez in the viral press conference earlier this month.

Just a few weeks in, Perez has already found himself a rival in the form of Enrique Riquelme, a businessman looking to put a halt to Perez’s reign at Santiago Bernabeu.

After speaking out against Perez all week, Riquelme has now officially filed for his candidacy in the presidential election.

It’s Perez vs Riquelme

As reported by AS, Riquelme arrived at the Electoral Board offices at around 6:00 PM on Saturday, having spent the morning at a notary’s office certifying the official validity of his endorsement.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Enrique Riquelme (@enriqueriquelmev)

He spent approximately 50 minutes inside submitting all required documentation before addressing the media outside.

“Today is a very important day for Real Madrid. After 20 years, voting will finally take place. This isn’t a candidacy against anyone; it’s for Real Madrid,” he said.

Continuing, he added: “We have a tremendously exciting, serious, and professional project, both on and off the field. It’s important to keep the members in mind. There are projects that will thrill them. I urge the members not to be afraid. 

“Be brave enough to listen and choose between the two projects on the table. Once the Board approves the candidacy, we will work around the clock to explain the projects so that people can vote after 20 years.”

The process has not been without drama, though. Reports emerged that Spanish banks Santander and BBVA had denied Riquelme the required loan guarantee.

However, the candidate has reportedly secured backing from Scotiabank and Andbank instead, both of which appear in the Bank of Spain registry and satisfy the club’s bylaws requirements.

What happens next

This will be the first Real Madrid election since 2006. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The Electoral Board has 24 hours to review the candidacy. If approved, the election date must be set within 15 days, placing the deadline on June 8th.

With over 90,000 members eligible to vote, it will be the first genuine contest for the Real Madrid presidency since 2006, when Ramon Calderon narrowly defeated Juan Palacios.

Perez has not faced a rival in any of his elections in 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021 or 2025. That changes now.