Riquelme promises radical overhaul as he challenges Perez for Real Madrid presidency

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleEnrique Riquelme is set to challenge Florentino Perez (Reuters)Enrique Riquelme has launched his bid for the Real Madrid presidency, challenging Florentino Perez in the first contested election for the role in two decades, promising a radical overhaul rather than quick fixes to the club's recent trophy drought. The renewables tycoon proposes transforming the Valdebebas training ground into 'La Ciudad del Socio' (The Members' City), an extensive social hub featuring an exclusive hotel, swimming pools, gym, sports courts, and various activities to reconnect supporters with the club. Riquelme's vision also includes a new 15,000-capacity arena for Real Madrid's basketball team, which would also serve as a concert venue, alongside a 50 per cent reduction in membership fees and a lottery system for 10,000 season tickets. He vehemently rejects Florentino Perez's proposal to create a subsidiary allowing outside investors to buy a stake in the club, accusing Perez of attempting to 'privatise the club' and stating that Real Madrid belongs to its members. Riquelme asserts that Real Madrid has 'lost its essence' and its members have 'lost their club' between 2004 and 2026, positioning his long-developed project as a means to restore the members' central role and ownership. In fullReal Madrid presidential hopeful launches ambitious bid to topple Florentino PerezThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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