Riquelme Unveils Casillas And Del Bosque, Defends Haaland Claims, Attacks Current Governance
Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme spent Thursday making the rounds in the Spanish media, giving interviews to both El Partidazo de COPE and Diario AS, where he doubled down on his headline-grabbing promises to sign Erling Haaland and Rodri while outlining a sweeping vision for the future of the club.
The candidate insisted he remains fully committed to bringing both Manchester City stars to the Santiago Bernabéu if elected president.
“We all know how this works here, you have to protect the player (Erling Haaland). His entourage is protecting him, and I think that’s fantastic,” Riquelme said on COPE. “But I still think the same as yesterday. I’m not going to give any more details about contracts. But I stand by what I said yesterday: if I’m president, Rodri and Haaland will play for Real Madrid. And if they don’t play, well, there are my promises, I’ll pay the members’ dues.”
In his interview with AS, Riquelme acknowledged the pushback from Haaland’s entourage while comparing the situation to one of the most famous transfer sagas in football history.
“Haaland’s agent denying it? Well, it’s part of the game. Nobody knows it better than you. It happened with Figo too; it’s part of football.”
The candidate repeatedly emphasized that he would not be risking his credibility without confidence in the operation.
“Besides what I’ve already said, I put up a guarantee, a personal pledge that if I failed to deliver on any of those promises, I would personally pay the dues of all 100,000 Real Madrid members,” he said. “I can’t ask for the members’ trust if I don’t believe in my own proposal.”
Riquelme also claimed he recently met with Haaland while refusing to disclose further details about ongoing discussions.
“It’ll stay between us… But yes, I was with Haaland very recently. We have to respect the player.”
Asked directly whether Haaland has a release clause, Riquelme responded: “Haaland has a termination clause, yes.”
Throughout both interviews, the candidate maintained that Real Madrid’s appeal remains the decisive factor in attracting elite talent.
“More than me, what convinces Haaland is Real Madrid,” he told AS. “The best players in the world want to come and play here if the circumstances are right.”
Del Bosque, Raúl, Hierro and Casillas
Beyond transfers, Riquelme revealed more details regarding the structure of his sporting project.
He confirmed that Vicente del Bosque would be involved in an advisory role.
“Vicente del Bosque will be part of our project in a completely selfless way, solely for the good of Real Madrid.”
He was more cautious when discussing the possibility of appointing Jürgen Klopp.
“Klopp is a great coach, but I can’t confirm anything. I’ve never sat down with Klopp, or any other coach. That’s the responsibility of the sporting department.”
Riquelme also confirmed that Raúl González and Fernando Hierro are already advising him regarding sporting decisions and squad planning.
“Yes, of course,” he said when asked whether the club legends were already working with him. “Regarding the profiles to be incorporated and possible departures.”
Meanwhile, in a letter sent to Real Madrid members this week, Riquelme confirmed that Iker Casillas would join his project in a senior management position, completing what he describes as a trio of former captains that would occupy key positions within the club.
Under the proposed structure, Raúl would serve as sporting director, Hierro would oversee the academy, and Casillas would hold a senior executive role.
Criticism of Real Madrid’s finances
One of the most striking sections of the AS interview came when Riquelme accused the current administration of excessive spending and promised major cost-cutting measures.
“My sporting team, with Raúl at the helm, is working on more names, of course,” he said. “And look, we need to do an audit to see how the accounts stand.”
Riquelme claimed there are between €120 million and €140 million in potential savings within the current structure.
“To begin with, Real Madrid TV, with a budget of 45 million euros.”
He also alleged that the club employs too many executives and spends excessively on external consultants.
“There are almost 50 Real Madrid executives earning over a million euros. What are we talking about?”
Member ownership and electoral reform
A central theme of Riquelme’s campaign remains opposition to any move away from Real Madrid’s member-owned structure.
In the letter to members, he reiterated his commitment to preserving 100 percent member ownership while proposing reforms aimed at increasing transparency and member participation.
Among the measures outlined are a 50 percent reduction in membership fees, special conditions for younger and financially vulnerable members, a notarized lottery for 10,000 new season tickets, the creation of a “Members’ City” in Valdebebas, and stronger support for the club’s women’s and basketball sections.
Riquelme also pledged to restore the traditional Santiago Bernabéu Trophy and defend the club’s interests in the Negreira case.
His criticism of the current electoral system was equally forceful.
“Absolutely, without a doubt,” he said when asked whether he would change the voting system if elected. “Not only that, but the electoral system as well. It can’t be so arbitrary and so favorable to whoever is in power.”
The candidate also expressed concern over postal voting procedures and argued that the current system benefits the incumbent administration.
“It can’t be that postal voting is being used to pressure fan clubs into voting en masse for fear of reprisals.”
Final appeal to members
Riquelme closed his letter with a direct appeal to Real Madrid’s electorate, framing Sunday’s vote as a defining moment for the club’s future.
“On Sunday you decide whether Real Madrid remains a club for the few or truly becomes the club of its members once again.”
