Florentino Perez secured another four years in charge of Real Madrid early Monday, overcoming the club’s first competitive presidential election in two decades after facing a strong challenge from a rival who opposed his vision for the club’s ownership model.
The 79-year-old Spanish construction magnate was declared the winner by Real Madrid TV, while challenger Enrique Riquelme, a renewable energy entrepreneur, conceded defeat more than an hour before the official results were announced.
According to the club’s final count, Perez secured 65% of the vote, with Riquelme receiving 35% from the 33,555 members who cast ballots Sunday at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex on the outskirts of Madrid.
“I would like to congratulate Florentino Perez’s campaign on its victory. Real Madrid will not go another 20 years without an election,” Riquelme told reporters.
Perez called the election on May 12 despite having two years remaining on his mandate, following a second straight season without silverware for the 15-time European champions and with archrivals Barcelona retaining their La Liga title.
