Florentino Perez Re-elected Real Madrid President

Madrid. Florentino Perez has been elected president of Real Madrid for another four years by winning the club's elections held on Sunday. 

Perez addressed his supporters at a victory celebration held at midnight immediately after the Real Madrid club television channel announced the news that Perez had defeated his rival Enrique Riquelme. During his address, he pledged, 'We will continue to work to win more titles for Real Madrid.'

According to the election committee's report, with 100% of the votes counted, Florentino Perez's panel received 21,741 votes, which is 65% of the total valid votes. On the other hand, the candidacy led by Enrique Riquelme received only 11,814 votes, which is 35%.

With this clear victory, Perez's new term will last until 2030, and the next electoral cycle will have to wait until then. Various media exit polls conducted in Valdebebas had also predicted that Perez would get a two-thirds majority. Perez has been continuously leading the club since 2000, except for the period from 2006 to 2009.

This victory is Florentino Perez's third electoral victory at Real Madrid. He lost his first attempt in 1995 against Ramon Mendoza. But later, in the 2000 election, he won by defeating Lorenzo Sanz with 55% of the votes after the postal vote became decisive. He then registered a spectacular victory in the 2004 election, securing more than 90% of the votes.

This victory has paved the way for Perez to bring Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho back to Madrid for a second term. Mourinho, who was Madrid's coach from 2010 to 2013, was also given a special place in Perez's election campaign materials.

Perez said he was 'proud that Jose Mourinho, one of the world's best coaches, is returning to the club.' In addition, Perez has mentioned his desire to sign Liverpool center-back Ibrahima Konate and Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries. He also promised to announce the signing of another big player worth more than 150 million euros or 173 million dollars this week.

Perez, now 79 years old, has led Madrid from 2000 to 2006 and from 2009 to the present. Under his leadership, Madrid has won 7 of its record 15 European Cups. According to Forbes, Madrid has been the most valuable club in the world for the last five years.

Perez, who also runs an international construction company, had not been challenged for the presidency of Madrid for over 20 years. He was unopposed in the elections held in 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025.

However, recently, some disappointing challenges have also been added for Perez. His 'Super League' plan, intended to bring in a UEFA Champions League rival, failed, and despite bringing in star striker Kylian Mbappe, Madrid has not won any titles for two consecutive seasons.

In addition, Perez was criticized last year for proposing to sell 10% of the club's shares to private investors. This move was opposed on the grounds that it would break the club's 124-year-old member-ownership model.