Florentino Perez re-elected as Real Madrid president | OneFootball

Florentino Perez has been re-elected as Real Madrid president after securing a comfortable victory over challenger Enrique Riquelme in the club’s first contested election for two decades.

The 79-year-old received 65 percent of the vote to extend his reign at the Santiago Bernabeu and maintain his grip on one of world football’s most powerful positions.

More than 100,000 Madrid members were eligible to vote in an election that attracted significant attention across Spain.

Perez had previously been elected unopposed in each of the club’s last five presidential cycles, making this the first genuine electoral contest at Madrid since 2004.

The veteran president called the election despite still having an active mandate until 2029.

His decision came after a disappointing campaign in which Madrid finished a second consecutive season without winning a major trophy.

Perez framed the election as an opportunity to reaffirm support for his leadership and ultimately received a strong endorsement from the club’s membership.

Speaking after the result was confirmed, Perez hailed the outcome as one of the strongest electoral performances in Madrid’s history.

He also reiterated his commitment to the club’s member-owned structure and promised to continue pursuing ambitious sporting projects.

The result means Perez will now oversee a crucial period for the Spanish giants as they attempt to return to the top of European football.

One of the biggest developments expected to follow his victory is the formal appointment of Jose Mourinho as Madrid’s new manager,

Perez had already publicly confirmed that Mourinho would return to the club if he won the election, and an official announcement is expected in the coming days.

Attention will also quickly turn towards the transfer market.

Madrid are expected to strengthen significantly this summer after injuries and squad depth issues exposed weaknesses over the past two seasons.

Perez has already spoken openly about plans to reinforce multiple areas of the squad and has hinted at further high-profile additions.

Meanwhile, Riquelme insisted his campaign had highlighted important issues regarding the club’s future direction despite falling short at the ballot box.

The 37-year-old entrepreneur centred much of his campaign on concerns over potential external investment and governance reforms.

Although defeated, his challenge generated debate among supporters and provided the first meaningful opposition Perez has faced in many years.

The veteran president now begins another chapter with the expectation of delivering trophies, overseeing Mourinho’s return and guiding the club through what promises to be a pivotal summer.