Real Madrid sets June 7 for presidential election

Real Madrid, the Spanish league runner-up, has scheduled its presidential elections for June 7. The race pits current president Florentino Pérez against businessman Enrique Riquelme.

The electoral committee has approved the vote, which will be held at the club's "Ciudad Real Madrid" complex in Valdebebas, on the outskirts of the Spanish capital. Approximately 100,000 Real Madrid members will have the opportunity to cast their ballots, with mail-in voting also available.

Pérez, who previously served as president from 2000 to 2006 and returned in 2009, has been re-elected unopposed four times since. His last re-election was in January 2025 for a four-year term. However, he has called for early elections after two consecutive seasons without major titles, with Real Madrid finishing second in La Liga and exiting the Champions League quarterfinals.

Riquelme, 37, heads the "Cox" group, specializing in water and energy. He is the first candidate to challenge Pérez, a prominent figure in the club's history. This election timeline could potentially delay the anticipated return of manager José Mourinho, who is considered a strong candidate to succeed Álvaro Arbeloa.