Enrique Riquelme Promises Two International Signings and Questions Florentino’s Management at Real Madrid

The candidate from Alicante seeks to win over Madrid fans with promises of signings, criticism of Florentino's management, and a long-term project.

The new proposals of Enrique Riquelme

The Alicante businessman Enrique Riquelme Vives, candidate for the presidency of Real Madrid, made a significant impact during the campaign by announcing that he had already secured agreements with two international stars. "If I am president, two great stars will play for Real Madrid. They are necessary for the short-term, medium-term, and long-term sports projects. We will probably announce it during these two weeks," he declared in an interview with the ABC newspaper.

The choice of media did not go unnoticed: it was the same one against which Florentino Pérez lashed out at his press conference on May 12, when he officially announced the election call and harshly criticized the press. The Electoral Board will soon define the date of the elections, which is expected to be Sunday, June 7.

José Mourinho

While Pérez works on bringing José Mourinho back, Riquelme distanced himself: "I have never been a Mourinho supporter nor a non-supporter. I am a Madridista. If I am president, we will evaluate it, but we are looking for a long-term project." Enrique acknowledged the Portuguese's successes, but insisted that the club needs a structural plan and not emergency solutions.

Xabi Alonso

He also referred to Xabi Alonso's dismissal, calling it a mistake: "It was a good decision to bring him in and a mistake to let him go. Madridismo is disappointed by the manner and the timing". Regarding his replacement by Álvaro Arbeloa, he considered it an "experiment," although he wished him success: "Maybe he will become the best coach in the world, but right now Madrid needs reference coaches."
Riquelme emphasized the need for a sports director, a figure he considers absent from the club: "If I am president, there will be a sports director. We will be able to announce it in the coming days."