Florentino Pérez has been re-elected as Real Madrid president after defeating challenger Enrique Riquelme in Sunday’s election at Valdebebas, extending his leadership of the club through 2030.
The result, which became official shortly after midnight, largely reflected what pre-election polling and exit surveys had suggested throughout the day. Pérez reportedly captured roughly two-thirds of the vote, comfortably holding off the strongest opposition he has faced in years.
While Riquelme ultimately fell short, his campaign established him as a significant figure within the club’s political landscape. The Madrid businessman mounted a serious challenge and could emerge as a future presidential candidate once Pérez’s newly renewed term comes to an end.
The election marks another chapter in Pérez’s long and influential history at Real Madrid. After losing his first presidential bid to Ramón Mendoza in 1995, Pérez famously defeated Lorenzo Sanz in 2000, aided by a strong performance in postal voting. Four years later, he secured an overwhelming re-election victory with more than 90 percent support.
Since returning to power in 2009 following the departure of Ramón Calderón, Pérez had not been required to contest an election. He ran unopposed in 2009 and again in subsequent election cycles in 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025, with no rival candidate meeting the requirements necessary to challenge him.
This year’s vote was different.
Despite having a term that technically extended until 2029, Pérez unexpectedly called elections last month in the aftermath of a disappointing season both on and off the pitch. The campaign began shortly after a tense press conference on May 12, where Pérez announced the election process amid growing scrutiny of the club’s sporting direction and internal issues.
That same press conference also featured references to Riquelme, who quickly assembled a presidential ticket and officially entered the race. What began as a relatively respectful campaign gradually became more confrontational as election day approached, with both sides exchanging criticism while also competing to convince supporters of their respective sporting projects.
Transfer activity became a major theme of the campaign.
Pérez’s administration strengthened its position by securing deals for several high-profile targets, including José Mourinho, Ibrahima Konaté, and Denzel Dumfries during the election period. However, the club president suggested there is still another major move to come.
According to Pérez, Real Madrid is preparing a €150 million offer for a marquee signing, with further details expected to be revealed this week. Reports have linked France star Michael Olise to the move, although the club has yet to confirm the player’s identity.
With the election now decided, Pérez enters another term in charge of Real Madrid facing familiar expectations: restoring the team’s competitiveness, managing the ongoing evolution of the squad, and delivering on the ambitious promises made throughout the campaign.
