Riquelme names Hierro as academy director as Real Madrid election rhetoric sharpens ahead of Sunday vote

Riquelme's academy appointment

Enrique Riquelme, the 37-year-old businessman challenging Florentino Pérez for the Real Madrid presidency, announced on Wednesday that former club captain Fernando Hierro will become director of the academy, known as 'La Fábrica', if his ticket prevails in Sunday's election. Hierro, who won three Champions League titles with Madrid, would work under Raúl González Blanco, whom Riquelme confirmed earlier this week as his sporting director.

Hierro has been working in different positions internationally, he knows very well the methodologies used in other countries, in other clubs, and he will be able to implement them if they benefit Real Madrid.

Riquelme framed the appointment as part of a drive to restore meritocracy in the youth ranks and end what he called cronyism involving intermediaries and coaches. Hierro's previous off-pitch roles include two stints as sporting director of the Spanish Football Federation, a general manager role at Málaga, and current sporting director duties at Saudi club Al-Nassr.

Pérez pushes back on privatisation claims

Florentino Pérez released a series of campaign videos on Wednesday directly rebutting Riquelme's accusation that the club is heading toward privatisation. Pérez insisted that any future sale of a symbolic stake — capped at 5 percent — would not transfer decision-making power to an outside investor.

That brand, global or whatever, will not run the club, nor will it participate in any of its decisions. That is reserved 100 percent for the club members.

Pérez argued the move would give members economic ownership of the club's value for the first time, turning the membership card into an inheritable asset. He also warned that a future board without scruples could ruin the club and acquire it for next to nothing, a situation he said he encountered when he first became president in 2000.

The sporting vision clash

Riquelme has built his campaign around a promise to 'Spanish-ise' the club, with Raúl as sporting director and Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernández — the only Spanish Ballon d'Or winner this century — as a priority signing. He has also hinted at a major foreign signing, widely speculated to be Erling Haaland, and has linked Mikel Arteta's name to the project.

If I am president of Real Madrid, he will be the sporting director of Real Madrid. Don Raúl González Blanco.

Pérez, by contrast, has not yet revealed his sporting leadership plans, though reports have associated José Mourinho with his candidacy. The incumbent has focused his messaging on structural governance and the financial model.

The candidates' backgrounds

Riquelme, the founder of energy company Cox, built his fortune in Latin America after leaving Spain in 2010 at age 21. He has recounted starting with a mortgaged apartment in Torrevieja worth 115,000 euros and moving to Panama. Pérez, a construction magnate, is seeking re-election on a platform of preserving member control while introducing a mechanism to value the club.

What happens next

Riquelme is scheduled to appear on the television programme 'El Hormiguero' on Wednesday evening, where he is expected to confirm another major signing for his project. The election takes place this Sunday, 7 June, with both candidates making their final appeals to the club's socios.