Enrique Riquelme: “The denial? It’s part of the game. Haaland has a clause...”

After Enrique Riquelme’s sensational appearance on El Hormiguero, where he claimed that Erling Haaland would play for Real Madrid if he is elected club president, the presidential candidate sat down with AS at his campaign headquarters. “Haaland has a clause,” Riquelme insists, brushing aside denials from both the player’s camp and Manchester City. He also maintains that Rodri would join the club under his leadership.

Haaland’s name was the first topic addressed in the interview Riquelme gave to AS, which will be published in full in the coming hours.

Question: Hello, Enrique. Quite a bombshell regarding Haaland yesterday...

Enrique Riquelme: “Did you like it? Do you think it’s good for Madrid? He’s a huge name, someone we’ve been working on for quite some time. Keep in mind that this is an election campaign. One candidate may win, or the other may win. I understand the need to protect the player, his club, and his team. That seems completely normal to me. But I’m very pleased to be able to announce that, if I become president, a player of Haaland’s calibre will play for Real Madrid.”

How do you convince a player of that calibre?

Enrique Riquelme: “More than me, what convinces him is Real Madrid. Real Madrid is a club that the world’s best players want to join when the circumstances are right. Of course, Madrid competes with other major clubs that have significant resources and can win titles, but no club has Real Madrid’s history. Any player in the world wants to play for Real Madrid.”

What do you make of the denials from his father and agent, Rafaela Pimenta?

Enrique Riquelme: “Well, it’s part of the game. No one knows that better than you. The same thing happened with Figo. This is football. Protecting the player is normal. We spoke beforehand and afterwards, including with Pablo, Rodri’s representative. I know perfectly well that we also have to speak with City, and I said that yesterday. The situations involving Rodri and Haaland are different, but we need to talk to City. We have the utmost respect for the club. We are so clear about our plans and have everything so well structured that I know perfectly well that, if I become president of Real Madrid, both players will play for Real Madrid.”

What can Enrique offer members to convince them this is real?

Enrique Riquelme: “To convince the members? Beyond what I’ve already said, I’ve put up collateral: a personal guarantee that if I fail to deliver on any of those promises, I will personally pay the membership fees of Real Madrid’s 100,000 members. I can’t ask members to trust me if I don’t trust my own proposal. I’m not a politician. At least one of the two candidates isn’t. I’m turning 37, and I’m not competing with Florentino Pérez on a generational basis. I won’t damage my personal or professional reputation, as a Madridista and as a club member, over the signing of one player or another. I’m absolutely certain that, if I become president of Real Madrid, everything possible will be done, including talks with City, to ensure those players play for Madrid.”

Are there signed commitments from the players?

Enrique Riquelme: “I can’t provide more details because the goal isn’t to put anyone in a difficult position. What I’m saying is that it’s entirely normal for a club to protect its player. He belongs to that club and deserves respect. I’m not going to put my professional reputation, my personal reputation, or my standing as a member on the line at the age of 37, especially after offering the guarantee I’ve provided. I think it’s clear that I will make sure these two players play for Real Madrid.”

Do you think Manchester City might be unhappy about seeing one of their players’ names on a Real Madrid shirt during a television programme?

Enrique Riquelme: “It’s an entertainment show. Football is football, and this is part of football. We need to keep talking. We have the utmost respect for City, and we need to sit down with them. The player has a clause and is under contract. In fact, this Wednesday we already sent some private messages to City. There may even be a language issue that has caused some misunderstandings, but the situation is clear.”

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.