Florentino Perez wins Real Madrid presidency

Florentino Pérez emerged victorious over Enrique Riquelme in the Real Madrid presidential elections held this Sunday in Valdebebas. The Madrid businessman saw his triumph confirmed after counting was largely counted, a result anticipated by most polls, yet one that required validation against a rival who established himself as a formidable alternative for the club's future leadership.

The Electoral Board reported after 2:00 a.m. that, with 100% of the ballots processed, the candidacy chaired by Florentino Pérez secured 21,741 votes, representing 65% of the valid total. The challenge led by Enrique Riquelme garnered 11,814 votes, or 35%.

Any potential shift in leadership must now wait until at least 2030, when the mandate renewed by this decisive victory is set to expire. Throughout Sunday, exit polls conducted at the Valdebebas facilities by various media outlets had anticipated this outcome, consistently showing approximately two-thirds of the vote in favor of the man who has led Madrid since 2000, barring the interval between 2006 and 2009.

This victory marks the third time Florentino has won a contested election. After an initial failed bid for the presidency against Ramón Mendoza in 1995, he succeeded in 2000 against Lorenzo Sanz, securing 55% of the vote in an election where the mail-in ballot proved decisive. Later, in 2004, he dominated the polls with a landslide of over 90% of the vote.

Since his 2009 return to the club following the turbulent exit of Ramón Calderón, whom he linked to Riquelme's current bid, this year represents the first time Florentino has been forced to defend his position at the polls. He faced no opposition upon his return, nor during the electoral cycles of 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025, where the lack of an alternative candidate rendered voting unnecessary.

Although his previous term was slated to end in 2029, the 79-year-old manager chose to call for elections a month ago following a disappointing sporting season and a period of eroded club prestige. He announced the decision during an explosive press conference on May 12, shortly after MARCA reported on a locker room altercation between Valverde and Tchouaméni.

During that same press conference, Florentino alluded to the candidacy of Enrique Riquelme, who ultimately confirmed his participation after assembling a team in record time. While the campaign began with mutual respect, the atmosphere soured in recent days as the candidates traded accusations and engaged in the customary battle over potential signings.

Florentino bolstered his position with confirmed campaign names such as José Mourinho, Ibrahima Konaté, and Denzel Dumfries. Nevertheless, he has reserved a final "galactic" maneuver, promising to reveal it this Tuesday alongside a 150 million euro offer for a player who could be Michael Olise.