A few weeks ago, no one really seemed to take Enrique Riquelme seriously. Although a businessman with proven success in the world of energy, the 38-year-old Spaniard was little known in the media in Spain, having been, until now, based in Mexico. The first predictions announced a real loss for Riquelme. Today, if Florentino PĂ©rez is given the winner, the gap has been considerably reduced and thanks to his media appearances and his promises, Riquelme has gained enormous credibility and legitimacy, where the current president rested a little on his laurels at the start of the campaign, probably being himself surprised by the seriousness of his rival.
A solid sporting project
He has always said it: his objective is to professionalize the club. While Real Madrid operates a bit in the old fashioned way, and some sometimes regret the absence of a true captain competent in the sporting field to guide the ship, Riquelme explained that if he is elected, there will finally be a sporting director at Real Madrid. A very important point, and which has caused a lot of positive talk in Madrid. Raul Gonzalez, club legend, will occupy this position, while his former teammate Fernando Hierro will lead the team.
Then, while waiting to know who his coach will be, he promised two pretty names for the transfer window: Erling Haaland and Rodri. On paper, Riquelme’s promises seem a little more attractive than those of his rival Florentino PĂ©rez. Obviously, some have doubts about his ability to keep his electoral promises, but the candidate’s determination and assertiveness are convincing the skeptics. He also certified before a notary that the two Cityzens will come in the event of victory. On a sporting level, what he proposes is considered interesting by Madrid public opinion.
Riquelme, the curator
Paradoxically, at least given the age of the two candidates, Riquelme embodies a madridismo more conservative and traditional. He is totally opposed to the desire to open the club to the arrival of external investors, while Pérez wants to open the door to external funds. Aware that this idea of ​​Pérez is generally controversial and not very popular with the members, Riquelme does not hesitate to insist and repeat, at each media appearance, that Pérez wants to sell the club, and that it will no longer belong (totally) to the members. He also denounces an opening to the world which would be detrimental to local supporters, and he wishes, for example, that the latter have easier access to the places, which are today partly monopolized by tourists.
A sort of merengue populism that can hit the mark, at a time when many members feel that their club is slipping out of their hands a little, they who are so keen on their very particular status, and who are very proud of it. He also promised, among other things, a 50% reduction in social contributions until a Champions League is won, as well as the creation of an agency to organize supporters’ travel. Riquelme therefore wants to embody a Real Madrid closer to its origins, faithful to its traditions, and closer to the people.
He presses where it hurts
Where Riquelme is gaining points is that he has targeted Florentino PĂ©rez’s weak points wonderfully, and he does not hesitate to exploit the few subjects that are a little tense and which can harm his rival. He thus highlights, in each interview, the fact that PĂ©rez worked hand in hand with Barça, in the Super League project in particular. Just as Real Madrid helped the Catalan club in certain complex matters, behind the scenes, pleading for Barça in the matter of Dani Olmo’s registration with La Liga a year and a half ago. Where many other Spanish clubs had displayed their dissatisfaction, believing that the Blaugrana were favored by the authorities.
Riquelme also regularly mentions that at the start of the Negreira affair, PĂ©rez was very passive and conciliatory, not wanting to attack Barça. An attitude that has changed as relations between the two clubs have deteriorated, but Riquelme believes that PĂ©rez should have been offensive from the start, via media appearances, press releases and even, why not, legal action. Anas Laghrari, one of those close to PĂ©rez who has more and more importance at the club, would also have worked hand in hand with Barça on certain issues. The choices to appoint Raul and Hierro to key positions are not trivial, since these two club legends are in conflict with PĂ©rez, like many Spanish players from the early 2000s. The absence of major Spanish players at the club is also singled out by Riquelme, who did not hesitate to take advantage of the absence of Merengues in the Spanish selection, and it is a sensitive subject among socios. His desire to Hispanicize the team is therefore rather well received at Castellana. A rather well run campaign therefore. Enough to bring down PĂ©rez? The trend still remains negative, but who knows, things could change by Sunday…
