Perez wins fourth term as Real Madrid president in competitive election

Florentino Perez secured another four years leading Real Madrid, defeating challenger Enrique Riquelme in the club's first competitive presidential election in two decades. Perez, the 79-year-old construction magnate, won 65% of the vote, with Riquelme, a renewable energy entrepreneur, conceding defeat. The election saw 33,555 members cast ballots at the club's training complex.

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I would like to congratulate Florentino Perez’s campaign on its victory. Real Madrid will not go another 20 years without an election.

Riquelme stated that Real Madrid would not go another 20 years without an election, congratulating Perez on his victory. Perez, who had two years remaining on his mandate, called the election amid a second consecutive season without major trophies and with rivals Barcelona winning La Liga. He described the result as "extraordinary" and declared Real Madrid had "set an example to the world of transparency and harmony."

Perez, who first became president in 2000, had previously won his mandates unopposed since 2009. His campaign promised the appointment of Jose Mourinho as manager and a club-record 150 million euro transfer for an unnamed player. He also indicated potential signings of defenders Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries. Benfica confirmed Perez's interest in Mourinho, noting a 15 million euro termination clause.

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This has been a great day for Real Madrid. We have won across the board, across all age groups. And we have achieved the second-best result in the history of Real Madrid elections.

Riquelme's campaign focused on bringing members closer to the club and criticized Perez's proposal to allow outside investors a 5% stake, which he called an attempt to "privatize the club." Riquelme also envisioned transforming the training complex into a social hub with a hotel, pools, gym, and a new arena for the basketball team.

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I vehemently rejects the plan and accused Perez of wanting to “privatise the club.”