MADRID(SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – The wait was short-lived. Florentino Pérez was re-elected president of Real Madrid in the early hours of this morning and will begin his eighth term in charge of the club, serving until 2030. Shortly before 1 a.m., the 79-year-old businessman celebrated what he described as a victory “on all fronts” and the achievement of the “second-best result in the club’s history,” even before the official percentages were released. Moments earlier, his rival Enrique Riquelme had conceded defeat after polls showed Pérez holding a commanding lead, with between 60% and 70% of the votes cast by club members.
Although the Spanish executive’s victory had been widely expected, it further strengthens his legitimacy after 23 years at the helm of Real Madrid (terms from 2000 to 2006 and again since 2009). During his tenure, the club has enjoyed unprecedented success, winning seven of the 15 UEFA Champions League titles in Real Madrid’s history. The election, which Pérez himself called and which was the club’s first since 2009, allows him to reaffirm his leadership of Los Blancos.
The campaign between Florentino Pérez and Enrique Riquelme was marked by occasionally tense exchanges, as well as increasingly ambitious and eye-catching promises.
Real Madrid’s president is expected to officially announce in the coming days the return of José Mourinho as head coach, in a deal reportedly worth €15 million—the amount needed to trigger the Portuguese manager’s release clause with Benfica. Pérez had also promised the immediate signing of two players in the event of his victory: French defender Ibrahima Konaté and Dutch full-back Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan.
In addition, Pérez pledged to submit an offer exceeding €150 million for a player whose identity remains undisclosed. His re-election is also expected to pave the way for his plan to open part of the club’s capital to a minority shareholder, a move that his opponent has described as a “privatization.” Until now, club members (“socios”) have been the sole decision-makers, meaning that opening the club’s ownership structure would represent a significant change in the Real Madrid model.
However, the proposal would still need approval at an extraordinary general assembly, the date of which has not yet been announced. Following the re-election of the Spanish billionaire, that process is expected to move forward quickly.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
