Florentino Pérez addresses election rivals and club structure as Real Madrid presidential race intensifies

In a series of direct communications aimed at the club’s membership, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has publicly challenged the legitimacy of opposing candidates, specifically targeting the campaign of Enrique Riquelme. As the club navigates an internal election cycle, Pérez has sought to frame the current contest not merely as a clash of personalities, but as a defense of the club’s foundational identity.

Speaking in a set of videos released under the banner ‘Respuestas para que no te mientan’ (Answers so you aren’t lied to), Pérez characterized Riquelme’s candidacy as lacking true independence. He explicitly stated that his opponent is supported by those he deems “enemies of Real Madrid,” though he stopped short of naming specific individuals or entities.

The debate over ownership and club governance

At the heart of the current discourse is a proposal regarding the potential sale of a minority stake in the entity. Pérez, who has led the club through various eras of modernization, is keen to emphasize that the core structure of Real Madrid—a member-owned institution—remains non-negotiable. He is proposing the creation of a subsidiary to house football and basketball operations, which would allow for a symbolic entry of an investor, capped at a maximum of 5%.

“The club will always continue to be a club with its president, its board of directors, and its governing bodies as it is now,” Pérez stated. “If the moment comes where the members decide to allow an investor with a maximum of 5% to value the club, that brand will not command the club, nor will it participate in any of its decisions.”

Pérez argues that this move is intended to establish an objective market valuation for the club, effectively treating the membership card as a form of economic property that can be passed down through generations. He contends that this financial clarity is a strategic necessity to protect the club’s legacy against legislative changes, citing previous amendments to Spain’s Ley del Deporte (Sports Law) as a catalyst for his current focus on preserving the institution’s financial autonomy.

Addressing financial stability

Amidst the rhetoric of the campaign, questions regarding the club’s financial health have surfaced. Pérez dismissed any suggestion that the proposed 5% equity sale is driven by a need for liquidity. He pointed to the club’s consistent presence at the top of global financial rankings, including Forbes’ annual assessment of the world’s most valuable football clubs, as evidence of the institution’s robust economic standing.

The president underscored that any significant change to the club’s status or structural governance would require the support of the members via a referendum, a safeguard he claims to have integrated into the club’s statutes to ensure that power remains firmly in the hands of the socios.

Clarifying the electoral process

The third pillar of Pérez’s recent messaging addresses the integrity of the electoral census. In response to speculation regarding access to member data, Pérez echoed the stance of the Real Madrid Electoral Board, labeling claims that any individual has unauthorized access to the census as “absolutely false.”

He clarified the established protocol: the Electoral Board maintains strict control over the census. If a candidate wishes to communicate their platform to the membership, they must submit their materials to the Board, which then facilitates the distribution of that information to the members. Pérez dismissed the controversy as an unnecessary distraction intended to destabilize the club during a sensitive period.

What comes next

As the election season progresses, the focus shifts to the official validation of candidacies and the subsequent campaign period. Real Madrid members, or socios, remain the ultimate arbiters of the club’s direction. The club is expected to release further updates regarding the electoral calendar and voting procedures through its official channels in the coming weeks.

As this situation develops, we will continue to provide updates on the institutional future of Real Madrid. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.