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