Real Madrid election heats up as Riquelme hears member concerns: “It cannot work like this”

Enrique Riquelme is moving quickly as Real Madrid’s presidential election process takes shape. The Electoral Board has not yet confirmed a date for the vote, though it is currently expected to be held on Sunday, June 7. Riquelme’s campaign believes that would be the most logical timing, but they are prepared for a shorter campaign window if the election is called earlier.

While he prepares his first major announcement on social policy on Wednesday morning, Riquelme spent Tuesday morning meeting club members and supporters directly to gauge sentiment on the ground.

A morning meeting with supporters in Madrid

The gathering took place at El Rincón de Toñín, a bar owned by Toñín el Torero, a well-known Real Madrid fan, and the Capote y Montera supporters’ group. Riquelme arrived shortly after 10 a.m., where he spoke with members, fans and supporters’ club representatives about their concerns.

After exchanging greetings, he sat down at Toñín’s table, ordered a coffee, and began a wide-ranging conversation focused on recurring themes in his campaign: stadium renovation plans, what he describes as insufficient attention to ordinary members, the need for open debate with Florentino Pérez, issues around season ticket holders, and the absence of Real Madrid players in Spain’s World Cup squad.

“Members feel forgotten”

Riquelme was direct in his assessment of how the club serves its fan base.

“The season ticket holders and European season ticket holders are the privileged ones, but the ordinary member feels forgotten,” he said. “They cannot even buy tickets. I don’t know if you know anyone who has managed to buy through the website. I certainly don’t.”

He was also questioned about how difficult it is to become a season ticket holder and about a lack of transparency surrounding supporters who are removed for reselling their tickets.

“Where do those season tickets go afterward? They never open up places for members who want in,” one attendee asked.

Riquelme responded by calling for greater clarity in the system.

“Lack of transparency. It cannot work like this, where if you do not have connections, you do not get in,” he said.

“There has to be a debate”

Another central issue raised was the absence of a public debate in the election campaign.

Florentino Pérez, without naming Riquelme directly, previously challenged potential opponents in a news conference, saying he wanted them to step forward and account for what they have done for the club.

Riquelme accepted the challenge.

“It has been 20 years without elections. There has to be a debate,” he said. “Florentino has been the best president, and we want to take that legacy and carry it forward into the future. He called the election and said he wanted us to run, and we have done it in record time. He did not want elections, but here we are.”

A campaign moment with supporters

The meeting did not last long, but Riquelme stayed afterward to take photos with fans who requested them. He also received a document outlining a series of proposals from a group of members, which he promised to review and potentially incorporate into his announcement later this week.

As he left, Toñín offered him a send-off: “Good luck, and take the bull by the horns.”

Riquelme responded with a smile: “Then I’ll take the cape with me.”

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