<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Madrid</a>‘s presidential election has set up a power struggle for the first time in 20 years after <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/florentino-perez/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florentino Pérez</a> called for a vote. His rival in the race is <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/enrique-riquelme/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enrique Riquelme</a>, who had some strong words for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/barcelona/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barcelona</a> in an interview on the podcast “The Wild Project.”



Riquelme said: “I want to see Barcelona in the second division. I’d love that. I wouldn’t have any problem with it, and I’d be happy about it. And that’s not meant as any disrespect. I’d also like Barcelona to disappear. I wouldn’t have any problem with that.”



This should be a very important weekend for the fans voting after a long stretch in which Pérez had presented himself without anyone challenging him as Sunday marks election day.



<h2>Riquelme accuses Pérez of helping Barcelona</h2>



While the current situation between the clubs is very tense, there were other times when they were allies. That was not on the sporting side, but on the business side when they were discussing deals involving broadcasting rights and similar matters.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/06/04194841/perez-1-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-649716"><figcaption>Pérez called for presidential elections (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



That is where Riquelme continued to speak about Barcelona, except this time he also said that Pérez helped their archrivals get back on their feet during difficult times.


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Riquelme said: “At every celebration when they were down and out. If I had been there, I can assure you that not only would I not have helped them, but I wouldn’t have extended a hand either. It’s a healthy rivalry, but if you’ve competed in a way that involved using money to pay the vice president of the referees.”



<h2>Riquelme on Pérez</h2>



A lot has been said about each other during this short campaign. Riquelme also pointed to the people around Pérez as the ones making the decisions, while adding that many of the negotiations the club has been involved in have included personal interests.



Riquelme said: “Through his personal company, as well as other new businesses he owns, he bills Real Madrid directly and indirectly for everything. He’s involved in the Super League because he’s a shareholder in the company that created it, and also in the privatization process he’s carrying out on his own.”

‘I’d like Barcelona to disappear,’ says Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme

'I'd like Barcelona to disappear,' says Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme - World Soccer Talk

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While most clubs are already planning for the transfer window now that the season is over, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Madrid</a> have a huge date coming up, with June 7 set to be a major day for the presidential election. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/florentino-perez/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florentino Pérez</a> will face off against Enrique Riquelme, who suggested in an interview with “El Partidazo de COPE” that he has already secured a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Cup</a> player for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/spain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spain</a>.



Riquelme said: “Real Madrid does not have a single player in the Spanish national team. In the 16 World Cups that have taken place, there have always been Real Madrid players involved. As a Madrid fan, that frustrates me, but there is a solution. If I become Real Madrid president, there will be a Spanish national team player at the World Cup who belongs to Real Madrid.”



While Riquelme did not name any player, the clue offers a big hint about who he may have been referring to after promising to sign two top players. From the list of 26 players, eight are from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/barcelona/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barcelona</a>, so those can be ruled out unless there is another Luis Figo-type betrayal, which does not seem very likely.



<h2>The player Riquelme may be referring to</h2>



The goalkeepers, apart from Joan García, can also be ruled out, with Real Madrid already having <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/thibaut-courtois/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thibaut Courtois</a>. Among the defenders who do not play for Barcelona, the names that stand out are Marcos Llorente and Marc Cucurella, but they would not be major-impact signings for a club like Real Madrid.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/26201304/rodri-1-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-647166"><figcaption>Rodri has been linked to the club (Michael Regan/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



Martín Zubimendi is another name that fits the profile. However, Arsenal are unlikely to sell a player they just bought for 65 million euros. Mikel Merino is also on the list and plays for an English club, but he occupies a position Real Madrid already have covered.


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The answer may be in midfield, with the player every fan wants: <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/rodri/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rodri</a>. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/manchester-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manchester City</a> midfielder has been linked with the club recently and would fill a position the team lacks. Even if Riquelme did not name him, his words could point in that direction.



The forwards include some interesting options as well. With <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lamine-yamal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lamine Yamal</a> ruled out, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/nico-williams/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nico Williams</a> looks like the strongest possibility, but his preferred role on the left wing would not fit <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/kylian-mbappe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kylian Mbappé</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/vinicius/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vinicius</a>. Mikel Oyarzabal is another possible name, albeit he is unlikely to be the one, since it would not represent a major impact for the club.



<h2>The manager</h2>



The other major task for the new president is choosing the right manager to replace <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/alvaro-arbeloa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Álvaro Arbeloa</a>. Most see <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/jose-mourinho/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">José Mourinho</a> as the main candidate for Pérez, but Riquelme’s words also fit the Portuguese coach, especially when he was asked about his preferred option. Riquelme said: “He is not free. We finalized the manager before announcing the candidacy.”

Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme commits to signing a World Cup player with Spain

Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme commits to signing a World Cup player with Spain - World Soccer Talk

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‘I’d like Barcelona to disappear,’ says Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme

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Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme commits to signing a World Cup player with Spain