By Monsurat Abisoye
Florentino Pérez has been re-elected as President of Real Madrid following an election held on Sunday, marking the beginning of his eighth term at the helm of the club.
The election, which featured an opponent for the first time in 20 years, will see Pérez serve as president until 2030.
According to the club’s electoral board, Pérez secured 65% of the total votes, while his challenger, Enrique Riquelme, received 35% of both physical and mail-in votes.
Real Madrid have gone trophyless in the past two seasons, with growing concerns within the club prompting Pérez to call for snap elections just one year after he was re-elected unopposed.
Speaking after his victory, Pérez said he remained committed to leading the club to more success and defending its legacy.
He also used his acceptance speech to confirm that José Mourinho, currently manager of Benfica, would return as the club’s new coach. He further promised more trophies for supporters in his latest tenure, including a pursuit of a 16th UEFA Champions League title.
“I am still here, and I am here to defend Real Madrid. We will continue working so that Real Madrid keeps winning titles, and we will fight until the end to achieve the sixteenth European Cup. You have demonstrated your commitment and loyalty to the club. Real Madrid has won. We have set an example to the world of democracy, transparency, and coexistence. We have shown that we are a big family, that we love Real Madrid, and that we are prepared for the future,” Pérez said.
He added: “We will continue to take pride in the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, the best stadium in the world. Proud to have the best players in the world, proud to welcome back one of the best coaches in the world, a madridista like José Mourinho. And rest assured, with me as president, Real Madrid has been, is, and will always remain owned by its members.”
The club had recently faced controversy over alleged plans to sell stakes to non-members, a move that sparked backlash from supporters. However, Pérez reaffirmed that the club would remain in the hands of its members.
“With me as president, Real Madrid has been, is, and will always remain owned by its members. We must stay united, driven by our passion for Real Madrid. To those who did not vote for me, I will do everything possible to address your concerns,” he added.
Since his first term as president, Pérez has overseen seven UEFA Champions League titles, seven Spanish La Liga titles, and three Copa del Rey triumphs.
