Official: Enrique Riquelme’s candidacy for presidential elections approved, Real Madrid set for first election since 2006 | OneFootball

Florentino Perez called for Real Madrid presidential elections in a famous press conference earlier this month, and the idea in the Spanish capital was that he would be unopposed once again, as has been the trend for several years now.

Just a few weeks in, however, he found himself a potential challenger in Enrique Riquelme, a Spanish businessman with a ‘Mexican accent’ as said by Perez himself in the same interview.

After some initial hesitations and deliberations, Riquelme officially filed for candidacy yesterday and was at the Electoral Board Offices for a long time during the day.

An official candidate

As confirmed by the minutes of the meeting of the Electoral Board of Real Madrid on the club’s official website earlier today, Riquelme’s candidacy for the upcoming election has been accepted and made official. 

Perez will have to fight for his presidency. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The decision, as stated in the minutes of the meeting, was unanimous and confirmed that the Spanish businessman will be a rival to Florentino Perez, thus setting up for a first presidential election at Real Madrid since 2006.

Needless to say, this comes as a massive update for members of the club who will have a choice between two candidates after two decades.

Perez’s plan

Riquelme’s bold decision to stand for election is indeed not what Perez expected when he called for elections, but the current Real Madrid president is motivated more than ever to fight for his presidency.

Real Madrid will have a first presidential election since 2006. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Perez, in fact, already has a plan in mind to win the votes of the Real Madrid members and it involves a new managerial appointment, a club legend’s return to the administration, and a new big-money signing.

For starters, Perez plans on bringing Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid’s new manager as is well known at this point. He hopes to onboard Toni Kroos in some capacity in the club’s administration and eyes Enzo Fernandez as the perfect midfield signing for the team.