Riquelme's Haaland Gambit Falls Flat as Presidential Hopeful Dangles Bernabéu Shirts

Real Madrid's presidential election has descended into the realm of fantasy football, with challenger Enrique Riquelme making increasingly outlandish promises in his bid to unseat Florentino Pérez this Sunday.

The would-be president took to television show El Hormiguero on Wednesday evening brandishing a Real Madrid shirt emblazoned with Erling Haaland's name across the back—a theatrical flourish designed to woo the 95,000 registered members eligible to vote. This marks the first presidential election at the Bernabéu since 2006, and Riquelme appears determined to make an impression.

"Erling Haaland and Rodri will be my star signings if I become president," Riquelme declared, raising the stakes further by promising to cover membership fees for the entire next season should he fail to deliver either player.

The pitch sounded compelling in the studio. Less so when Haaland's camp weighed in. The striker's father Alfie Haaland and agent Rafaela Pimenta issued a swift joint statement: "All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Madrid elections." Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano subsequently reported that Manchester City remain entirely relaxed about Haaland's future, with no exit signals forthcoming from the player himself.

Haaland's position is considerably strengthened by the contract he penned with City in January 2025, which runs through 2034 and reportedly strips away the buyout clauses contained in his original agreement from his 2022 arrival at the Etihad.

Pérez's camp, meanwhile, has been making moves of their own. The incumbent confirmed that José Mourinho will return as manager should he retain his position—a return to the Bernabéu for the Portuguese tactician, who previously held the role between 2010 and 2013. A video of Mourinho in Real Madrid kit saying "yes" duly circulated on social media.

Riquelme swiftly rejected that scenario. "He's a good coach, but his style is totally different from what we're looking for in our project," he said, insisting his own coaching blueprint remains undisclosed for now. He did, however, emphasise the appointments of Raúl as sporting director and Fernando Hierro as academy boss as evidence of his serious intent.

On the transfer front, Pérez has already secured concrete business. Ibrahima Konate arrives on a free transfer following his Liverpool departure, whilst Real Madrid have activated Denzel Dumfries' €20m release clause to bring the Inter Milan full-back to the Spanish capital.

The president also moved to quash any uncertainty surrounding his squad's big names, confirming that Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior will all remain at the club. "They are players that every big club in the world would want," Pérez told AS.

Regarding Rodri specifically, Riquelme has been notably more measured than with Haaland, though still bullish. The Manchester City midfielder, who retains one year on his contract, represents the sort of midfielder Real Madrid could strengthen around. "He's a great player, in a position where Madrid need to strengthen," Riquelme said. "We've spoken to his agent, we have to respect his club, but if I'm president he'll play for Madrid. I'll do everything possible."

The election takes place on Sunday. Whether voters are swayed by shirt reveals and television appearances remains to be seen.