It was not a press conference in the traditional sense. No lectern, no microphone, no flashbulbs. Instead, Florentino Perez chose his election campaign X account to detonate a series of announcements that have redrawn the landscape at Real Madrid ahead of Sunday's presidential vote.
The sitting president, 79, is facing the first contested election at the club in 20 years. His challenger is Enrique Riquelme, a 37-year-old renewable energy entrepreneur who has spent the past week making increasingly bold promises to the socios. Perez's response was to make the campaign about one name above all others: Jose Mourinho.
MOURINHO SAYS YES
The announcement landed on Wednesday evening, timed precisely as Riquelme was appearing live on El Hormiguero — Spain's most watched television programme. Perez posted a short video on his campaign account featuring Mourinho simply saying "Yes!", beneath the slogan "So MOUch history to be made." The Spanish version read "MOUcha historia por hacer." The pun was deliberate. The timing was not accidental.
Mourinho, 63, has already signed a three-year contract with Real Madrid, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic. The deal runs until June 2029. His official presentation is set for June 8, the day after polling. The caveat is clear: Perez must win.
The Portuguese coach will return to the Bernabeu more than a decade after his first spell ended in 2013. During those three seasons, he won a La Liga title with a record 100 points, a Copa del Rey, and a Spanish Super Cup. He brought Cristiano Ronaldo's Madrid to the peak of their domestic powers. The argument for his return is that Mbappe, Vinicius and Bellingham need a manager who will crack heads and restore discipline — not a tactician who will charm them.
Iker Casillas, who clashed with Mourinho during that first spell, went public with his opposition on the same evening. "I have no problem with Mourinho," the legendary goalkeeper wrote on X. "He seems like a great professional to me. I don't want him at Real Madrid. I think other coaches would be better equipped to coach at the club of my life. Personal opinion. Nothing more." It was measured. It was noticed.
KONATE IS FIRST SIGNING
On Thursday, Perez appeared in front of media to make good on his promise of a first transfer announcement. He did not disappoint. "My first signing is Ibrahima Konate," he declared, a quote confirmed and shared by Fabrizio Romano. The France international centre-back has left Liverpool as a free agent, turning down a contract extension at Anfield to pursue a new challenge. Real Madrid, who had long tracked him, moved quickly once his departure was confirmed.
It is the kind of signing that Perez has built a career on — a world-class player arriving at the peak of his powers, no transfer fee required.
THE 150 MILLION GALACTICO
But Perez was not finished. Speaking to journalists after the Konate announcement, the 79-year-old dropped the biggest bombshell of the evening: a formal 150 million euro bid will be lodged on Tuesday — the day after the presidential election — for an unnamed superstar from a Champions League club.
Journalist Horizonte put it to Perez directly: "We believe your 150 million euro superstar is not a forward, because you already have Mbappe, Vinicius..." Perez smiled and replied: "Well, in Madrid, YOU ALWAYS NEED MORE."
He then began ruling players out and narrowing the field. "The 150 million euro deal is NOT for a defender," he said. "It could be a midfielder or a forward." He confirmed the target is not a Premier League player, ruled out Harry Kane and Michael Olise by name, and described the player in terms that left the room buzzing.
"The bid will be for a Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaka level player," Perez said. "He is a YOUNG player. He is a GALACTICO."
The quotes were reported live by Fabrizio Romano from the Perez media appearance. The identity of the player remains unconfirmed, but the parameters Perez set out — young, a Champions League club, not a Premier League side, not a defender, not Kane or Olise, 150 million euros — have set the Spanish press ablaze with speculation ahead of Sunday's vote.
THE RIQUELME COUNTER
Riquelme's response on El Hormiguero was bold but has since backfired. The challenger held up a Real Madrid shirt bearing the name of Erling Haaland, all but claiming the Norwegian as his headline signing. Manchester City reacted furiously. Legal action is now being considered. Haaland's agent and father Alfie Haaland both distanced themselves from the stunt, and Fabrizio Romano poured cold water on the move.
Riquelme also promised Rodri — the reigning Ballon d'Or winner and Spain captain — as a second signing, and said club great Raul would serve as his sports director.
It is an ambitious platform. But with Perez countering with Mourinho confirmed, Konate announced, and Vitinha reportedly in the works, Sunday's vote now looks like the incumbent's to lose.
