A real power struggle! Perez's rival is courting Haaland and Klopp

Florentino Perez

Florentino Pérez faces competition in his bid for re-election as Real Madrid president, and his rivals are looking to sway voters with two high-profile signings.

Spanish businessman Enrique Riquelme has confirmed he will run for president of Real Madrid in the forthcoming election, according to a letter sent to the club's election committee.

The president of the water and energy firm Cox has until Saturday to formally submit his candidacy and become the first official challenger to Pérez, who is seeking re-election.

The deadline for submitting candidacies is 23 May. To qualify, hopefuls must have been club members for at least 20 years and present a €187 million guarantee—equivalent to 15% of the annual budget—backed by private assets. If more than one candidate meets these criteria, the electoral committee will oversee a members' vote.

According to El Confidencial, Riquelme is counting on two trump cards in the power struggle at Real Madrid. First, he plans to wow voters with the high-profile signing of Erling Haaland from Manchester City and is reported to have already reached out to the Norwegian through his network. 

His second ace is reportedly Jürgen Klopp: Riquelme's adviser has already reached out to the German's camp, where he serves as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer. Until recently, a summer return of José Mourinho to the Real Madrid hot seat had seemed all but certain. 

Real Madrid CF v Real Oviedo - LaLiga EA Sports

Florentino Pérez delivers a memorable press conference at Real Madrid.

Following a chaotic season, Pérez announced fresh elections at a hastily arranged press conference. During the 64-minute event—marked by repeated verbal sparring with journalists—the 79-year-old denounced a "smear campaign" against him and a "conspiracy" by the media.

Los Blancos have now gone two campaigns without silverware for the first time since 2009/10.

The property developer first led Real Madrid between 2000 and 2006, returned unopposed in 2009, and has since been re-elected for four-year terms in 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025.