BARCELONA, Spain — Florentino Pérez will continue leading Real Madrid for another four years after claiming victory in the club’s presidential election held Sunday.
Speaking to his supporters during a late-night celebration, Pérez declared his commitment to continued success. “We are going to keep working so that Real Madrid keeps winning more titles,” he stated after the club’s television network announced his triumph over opponent Enrique Riquelme.
The soccer club has not yet released official voting tallies to the public.
With his electoral success secured, Pérez can now move forward with plans to bring back Portuguese coach José Mourinho for another coaching period at Madrid. Mourinho previously led the team from 2010 through 2013 and appeared in campaign materials supporting Pérez during the election cycle.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the coaching change, Pérez stated he was “proud that José Mourinho, one of the best coaches in the world, is set to return.”
Beyond coaching changes, Pérez has outlined ambitious player acquisition goals, including pursuing Liverpool center back Ibrahima Konaté and Inter Milan right back Denzel Dumfries. He has also committed to announcing a major signing worth over 150 million euros ($173 million) within the coming week.
The 79-year-old executive previously served as Madrid’s leader from 2000-2006 and again starting in 2009. During his tenure, the club has captured seven of its record-setting 15 European Cup championships.
According to Forbes rankings, Madrid has maintained its position as the world’s most valuable soccer club for five consecutive years.
Pérez, who operates an international construction business, had not faced electoral opposition for Madrid’s top position in more than two decades. Previous elections in 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025 saw him run without challengers.
However, recent years have brought setbacks for the longtime president. His proposed Super League alternative to UEFA’s Champions League failed to launch, and Madrid has endured two seasons without capturing any titles despite adding star striker Kylian Mbappé to the roster.
Additional criticism emerged last year when Pérez suggested potentially selling a 10% stake in the club to private investors, which would end the organization’s 124-year tradition of member ownership.
Following the election results, Riquelme offered congratulations to Pérez while hinting at future political ambitions. Pérez’s new term extends through 2030.
“For us, this is not the end, this is the beginning,” Riquelme declared. “Real Madrid won’t spend another 20 years without holding elections.”
The 37-year-old renewable energy executive entered the race after Pérez announced the election during a heated news conference last month, where he challenged potential opponents and criticized what he characterized as media efforts to remove him from power.
Though largely unknown to the general public, Riquelme built significant support by securing endorsements from former Madrid stars including Raúl González, Fernando Hierro and Iker Casillas. His campaign also featured promises to acquire Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, though both City and Haaland’s representative have ruled out a summer transfer to Madrid.
The election drew from a pool of 98,000 eligible club members. Voting took place at Madrid’s basketball facility since the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium was occupied by an event featuring Pope Leo XIV during his week-long Spanish visit.
