Riquelme Challenges Perez in Real Madrid Presidential Race

Spanish businessman Enrique Riquelme confirmed on Saturday his intention to contest against Florentino Perez in the Real Madrid presidential elections. He formally submitted his candidacy on the same day.

The elections are set to take place in approximately two weeks, with the voting process allowing Real Madrid's members to participate. Riquelme, 37, is an entrepreneur associated with a water energy group called Cox.

He is the first individual to challenge Perez, who has been the president of Real Madrid since 2000, overseeing the club's notable Galactico era. Perez, 79, was first elected in 2000, resigned in 2006, and returned in 2009, running unopposed in subsequent elections in 2013, 2017, and 2021.

The election period will officially commence once Riquelme's candidacy is validated by Real Madrid's electoral board.