Florentino Pérez defeated Enrique Riquelme in the elections for the presidency of Real Madrid, held this Sunday in Valdebebas. The Madrid businessman saw it confirmed after 0.30 hours at night a victory that most polls took for granted, but that had to be confirmed given the strength of his rival, who is establishing himself as a solid future alternative to the presidency.
For that we will have to wait, at least, until 2030the date on which the mandate that Florentino saw renewed after his clear victory at the polls. A victory that the polls of the different media, with exit polls at the Valdebebas facilities, had been anticipating throughout the day on Sunday, with around two thirds of the votes in favor of the president of Madrid since 2000, except for the period between 2006 and 2009.
Those this Sunday in Valdebebas have been the Madrid’s third elections won by Florentino. He lost his first attempt to become president, in 1995 in view of Ramon Mendozabut later won 2000in view of Lorenzo Sanzwith a 55% of the votes, with voting by mail being decisive in those elections. Afterwards, in 2004won again at the polls, this time sweeping away more than one 90% of the votes.
Since his return to the club in 2009, after his turbulent departure from Ramon Calderonwhich he has linked to Riquelme’s candidacy, this year’s are the first elections that Florentino has been forced to face. He had no rival in that return, nor later in the open electoral processes. 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025in which there was no alternative to the president nor, therefore, the need to go to the polls.
His term expired in 2029but the 79-year-old leader decided to call elections a month ago, after a very negative season on a sporting level, in which the club’s image was also eroded. He announced his intention to call the polls in an explosive press conference on May 12, shortly after BRAND will reveal a fight in the locker room between Valverde and Tchouaméni.
In that same press conference, Florentino already alluded to the candidacy of Enrique Riquelmewhich finally confirmed its participation in the elections after forming a candidacy in record time. The electoral campaign, which began with respect between both candidates, became tougher in recent days, with accusations crossed between both in addition to the usual battle of names regarding signings.
Florentino won the fight with names like those of José Mourinho, Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfriesall of them confirmed during the campaign. Yet, He has an asset in the form of Galactico, which he promised to reveal this Tuesday, with an offer of 150 million euros for a player who could be Michael Olise.