Pérez attacks Riquelme: 'More worried about fame than Real Madrid'

Florentino Pérez, a candidate for Real Madrid's presidency, launched a sharp attack on his rival, Enrique Riquelme, accusing him of being more interested in personal fame than in leading the club. Pérez stated that Riquelme's focus on "inscribing a personal brand, on becoming famous" disrespects the club's members.

“

The candidate seems more concerned with inscribing a personal brand, with becoming famous. Real Madrid members deserve respect. One cannot be president while mistreating the club's symbols.

Pérez further criticized Riquelme's financial backing, noting that "not a single Spanish bank wanted to give him the guarantee" and he had to turn to a bank in Andorra. He contrasted Riquelme's "outdated project of swimming pools and paddle tennis courts" with his own vision for "the largest technological park in Europe" aimed at generating new revenue streams for Real Madrid.

“

No Spanish bank wanted to give him the guarantee and he had to resort to a bank in Andorra.

The presidential hopeful also questioned Riquelme's silence on the Negreira corruption case, contrasting it with his strong criticism of Real Madrid TV. Pérez vowed to present a report on the corruption case to UEFA himself. He also drew parallels between Riquelme's candidacy and the "most sinister stage" of the club's history under former president Ramón Calderón, alleging that Riquelme's team includes individuals from that era.

“

Faced with an outdated project of swimming pools and paddle tennis courts, we propose the creation of the largest technological park in Europe, generating new income for Real Madrid to remain a leader.

Pérez vehemently denied any intention to privatize the club, calling such claims "categorically false." He asserted his commitment to a model where "the ownership of the club belongs to its members," emphasizing that while current ownership is symbolic, his transformative approach aims to solidify their legal and economic rights. He warned against models that could allow external parties to acquire control of the club through manipulated membership changes.

“

A candidate who stays silent when talking about the Negreira case, who is very harsh against Real Madrid TV, how weak he is when talking about the biggest corruption case in the history of sport.