Enrique Riquelme lines up business heavyweights for Real Madrid run against Florentino Pérez | OneFootball

Enrique Riquelme has notified Real Madrid's Electoral Board of his intention to stand for the presidency, taking on Florentino Pérez. He has worked for months on an alternative project and has secured the funds to meet the €187.2 million guarantee.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, he plans to surround himself with business leaders to signal renewal. Names under consideration include David Mesonero, Ángel Martín, Rosauro Varo and Dámaso Quintana, plus figures linked to the Fernández Tapias family, and the list remains open.

Mesonero is viewed as a standout candidate and could take a vice-presidency if the ticket is formalised. A specialist in corporate deals and investment, he would strengthen a financial set-up at a club managing budgets over €1,000 million.

Martín, owner of Clínicas Menorca, is a firm backer and is close to Iker Casillas, Predrag Mijatovic and Sergio Ramos. He could also be a vice-president, blending resources and relationships.

Varo, owner of the GAT group, spans tourism, property, telecoms and mobility, and until last year sat on boards of Telefónica subsidiaries, holding stakes in the operator and Cabify. Quintana, Cunext president and a Cox Energy colleague of Riquelme, would add industrial weight, though roles remain unconfirmed.

One of Fernando Fernández Tapias’s sons is also near the project, a surname with clear symbolism given his service from 2000 to 2023. Final names are due by Saturday, and while Casillas, Ramos and Mijatovic are not eyed as directors, their proximity via Martín adds an emotive thread.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo