Florentino Perez will remain Real Madrid president until 2030 after winning Sunday's election at Valdebebas — the first genuinely contested vote in the club's history since 2006. The result became official shortly after midnight on Monday, confirming Perez's victory over challenger Enrique Riquelme.


THE RESULT


Real Madrid's official Electoral Board announced the final figures: Perez received 21,741 votes — 65% of the total. Riquelme received 11,814 votes — 35%. A total of 33,555 members voted, representing a turnout of just under 40%. The election was held at Real Madrid City in Valdebebas from 9am to 8pm. Riquelme conceded defeat more than an hour before the official tally was announced.


WHAT IT MEANS


Perez first became Real Madrid president in 2000, overseeing the Galactico era. He returned in 2009 after Ramon Calderon's three-year stint and has since been re-elected in 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025 — all unopposed, as no rival candidate was able to meet the strict membership and financial criteria. This was the first time since 2006 that a challenger cleared those hurdles. Riquelme, a renewable energy tycoon, had campaigned on a platform of returning Madrid to a Spanish identity in their squad, reducing reliance on foreign stars, and promised to sign Rodri and Erling Haaland from Manchester City — claims widely dismissed as unrealistic but which attracted genuine voter interest. That he secured 35% of the vote despite those questions is a significant signal of discontent.


THE BIGGER PICTURE


Perez takes charge again at the most turbulent moment of his presidency. The 2025-26 season ended without a single trophy — no La Liga, no Copa del Rey, no Champions League. A catastrophic dressing room crisis played out in public during May — Rudiger slapping Carreras, Valverde and Tchouameni brawling in training, the Mbappe petition reaching 33 million signatures. The squad needs a rebuild. Xabi Alonso was sacked mid-season. A new head coach must be appointed before pre-season — Mourinho remains the frontrunner. Perez was reportedly prepared to invest 150 million euros into the squad to secure re-election, and has signalled his intent to return Madrid to their status as Europe's dominant club. He told members after the result: "Real Madrid is the greatest club in the world and we will show that once again."