Riquelme warns of 'grave financial crisis' as Real Madrid election campaign closes with Klopp denial and sharp exchanges
Enrique Riquelme accused Florentino Pérez of hiding a 'technical bankruptcy' on the final day of campaigning, while Jürgen Klopp's agent dismissed the challenger's plan to hire the German coach.
Campaign closes with financial accusations
The final day of campaigning for the Real Madrid presidential election saw challenger Enrique Riquelme escalate his attacks on incumbent Florentino Pérez, claiming the club is in a 'very serious financial crisis'. Speaking at his campaign headquarters near the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, Riquelme cited a report published by EL MUNDO detailing the club's economic difficulties.
Madrid has wiped out 770 million euros of liquidity in a very short time and the cash position has been reduced by 99%. We also know that the accumulated debt from the Bernabéu remodelling and other operations has reached unprecedented levels and some analyses warn of a real risk to economic viability if it is not corrected soon.
Riquelme pledged to commission an external audit if elected, arguing that members were being taken to an extraordinary vote without knowing the club's true financial state. He linked the situation to what he described as urgency from the current board to sell part of the club.
Klopp denial overshadows Riquelme pledge
On Friday evening, Riquelme issued a statement announcing that Jürgen Klopp was his chosen coach and that sporting director Raúl González would contact the German on Monday if the challenger won. By Saturday morning, Klopp's agent Marc Kosicke had publicly rejected the idea.
It's annoying! Jürgen Klopp is happy in his role at Red Bull and has no ambitions to work as a coach at a club.
The denial, reported by Süddeutsche Zeitung, echoed a similar rebuttal earlier in the campaign when Riquelme had promised to sign Erling Haaland. Pérez's campaign team seized on the moment, posting a meme on social media with the caption 'No lo sé Riq...' (I don't know, Riq...).
Pérez defends record and attacks 'hoaxes'
Florentino Pérez held his own closing event at the Hotel Eurobuilding, metres from Riquelme's headquarters. He welcomed Pope Leo XIV to Madrid, noting the pontiff had declared himself a Real Madrid supporter on the plane. Pérez then turned to his opponent, though without naming him directly, referring throughout the campaign only to 'the candidate'.
The members will not allow the image of Madrid to be damaged and the shirt to be used to shame us. We have had to endure the embarrassment of a hoax being launched on a television show to deceive the member, only for the player's representative and his club to deny it categorically minutes later.
Pérez defended his economic and sporting record, stating the club had won 66 titles under his leadership and was on track to reach 2 billion euros in revenue. He insisted the club 'will always belong to its members' and called the election proof that members are the sole owners.
Path to the ballot
The election was triggered unexpectedly on 12 May when Pérez called a press conference and invited challengers to stand, referencing 'the Mexican' and 'the energy kids'. Riquelme, owner of Cox Energy, secured the required guarantee of nearly 194 million euros through Andorran bank ANDBANK after Spanish banks declined. The vote takes place on Sunday 7 June at Valdebebas, the first time Pérez has faced a ballot in 20 years.
- Florentino Pérez unexpectedly calls presidential elections at a press conference, inviting challengers to stand.
- Enrique Riquelme confirms his intention to run for the presidency.
- Riquelme submits documentation to the electoral board.
- Riquelme opens his campaign headquarters on Calle Rafael Salgado, opposite the Bernabéu.
- Election date confirmed for 7 June at Valdebebas.
- Riquelme announces Klopp as his chosen coach; Klopp's agent later denies any interest.
- Final day of campaigning: Riquelme warns of financial crisis, Pérez attacks 'hoaxes'.
- Election day at Valdebebas.
Campaign promises and tensions
Riquelme has centred his platform on opposing any privatisation of the club, institutional regeneration, and defending member ownership. He has also promised to sign Rodri and Erling Haaland. Pérez has questioned his opponent's solvency throughout, describing him as 'a Trojan horse coming to ruin the club from within'. The campaign has been marked by Riquelme's demand for a public debate, which Pérez declined, and by the challenger's television appearance on 'El Hormiguero' where he first announced the Haaland pledge.
