JAKARTA – The Real Madrid presidential candidates have taken their boldest step. Enrique Riquelme promised to recruit Erling Haaland and Rodri if elected. His rival, Florentino Perez, confirmed Jose Mourinho as his coach of choice while promising some big names to come to the Bernabeu.
In a vote on Sunday, June 7, 2026, Real Madrid members will choose between renewable energy entrepreneur Riquelme (37) and Perez (79) who have led the club for 23 of the last 26 years.
The vote will be the club’s first contested election since 2006 and comes after the team finished two consecutive seasons without winning a major trophy.
In an appearance on the popular Antena 3 show “El Hormiguero” on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, local time, Riquelme – who had previously announced club legends Raul Gonzalez and Fernando Hierro as Real Madrid’s Director of Sport and Head of the Academy – said he would pay the club’s membership fee if he failed to bring Haaland and Rodri from Manchester City.
“If I renege on my promise regarding any of these players, I have signed a guarantee where I will pay 100 percent of the membership fee for next season.”
“Haaland has a release clause and he wants to come to Real Madrid,” Riquelme said.
In a joint statement, the Norwegian striker’s father, Alfie Haaland, and his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, denied any agreement with Riquelme.
“All of that is very entertaining, but not true. We wish the best of luck to both candidates in the elections at Real Madrid,” Alfie Haaland added to Riquelme’s campaign.
Haaland has a contract with Manchester City until 2034. When the contract was signed in January 2025, it was one of the most lucrative contracts in the history of the sport.
ESPN also reported that the new deal removes a buy-out clause that was included in his contract when he arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.
Last week, Riquelme told ESPN that Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who still has one year left on his contract with Manchester City, is the type of player who should play for Real Madrid.
“He’s a great player, in a position that Real Madrid need to strengthen the team. We have spoken to his agent, we have to respect his club.”
“If I were president of Real Madrid, he would play for Real Madrid. I would do everything possible,” Riquelme said.
Meanwhile, in a social media post on the same day, Perez’s campaign team confirmed that Mourinho, who previously coached Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, would return as coach if Perez won the election this weekend.
A short video shows Mourinho smiling, wearing a Real Madrid shirt, and saying “yes”.
In an interview with Diario AS, Perez also said that Ibrahima Konate will join Real Madrid under his leadership.
ESPN reported on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, local time, that Real Madrid was close to reaching an agreement with Konate, who is a free agent after leaving Liverpool.
“One of the best defenders in the world, Konate, will play for Real Madrid next season. He is not the only great defender who will come if I am still leading,” Perez told Diario AS.
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