Pérez's Rival: Rodri is Coming to Real Madrid, and I'll Reveal Another New Signing Tomorrow

Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has announced that Rodri will be the Spanish international he brings to the club if he wins the upcoming elections. The vote is scheduled for next Sunday, June 7th, where he faces off against favorite Florentino Pérez. Riquelme also promised to reveal the name of a second new player, a foreigner, whom he has already secured, this Wednesday.

He reiterated that he has already found a coach for the team, confirming it is not José Mourinho. Riquelme vowed to disclose the coach's identity after Wednesday. Another piece of news from his interview with “Cadena Ser” is that he has reached an agreement with club legend Raúl to become Real Madrid's sporting director.

“Rodri is a fantastic player, a Ballon d'Or winner, a Madrid native, and I adore the idea of a player like Rodri at Real Madrid. If I become president, a player like Rodri will play for Real Madrid. But I am not president yet, and he has a contract with his current club, which must be respected. I have been in contact with his representative. He is one of two names we have been working on and will announce in the coming days,” Riquelme explained.

“The second player we've secured is a foreigner, and I would like to announce him on Wednesday,” the presidential candidate continued.

“I already have a coach,” Riquelme reminded. “My plan is to announce names throughout the week. Each day, I'll present new surprises with top professionals, some of whom are true 'Madridistas,' who will join. I will reveal the coach's name after the other player, after Wednesday. Mourinho? He is a great coach who had his moment at Real Madrid, but he's not what we need right now. Arteta? He's a fantastic coach. He had a great season with Arsenal, but there are other great coaches too.”

“Regarding Raúl – yes, I have already secured him. He is Spanish. For this project and in the club's current situation, we need to return to those values, to that 'Madridismo,' to the club's DNA.

This must be a Real Madrid legend, surrounded by top professionals, someone who has played over 740 matches for Real Madrid, 16 seasons, scored over 300 goals, and has over 100 caps for the national team... There is no one else who knows the 'White House' better. And this is the person we have chosen. This is the right person to lead the sporting project that lies ahead for Real Madrid. This is Don Raúl González Blanco. If I am president, Raúl will be Real Madrid's sporting director.”

The candidate also detailed how he convinced the former striker to accept the offer: “I had to explain the project to him, what we expect from him, and what we believe he can contribute. There is no one more suitable for this position than him. Furthermore, a number of Real Madrid legends will be part of the project.”

For several seasons, Raúl worked in Real Madrid's academy but was never considered by Florentino Pérez for a potential first-team coaching role. He left his position with the 'Whites' a year ago.

Enrique Riquelme then criticized Florentino Pérez: “What's certain is that he will sell the club. Next, we'll have to buy Apple glasses for 4500 euros so members can watch football at home. And third, he just talks, talks, and talks about me. I don't want to be his campaign; let him propose a social, sporting, and financial program, and that would be perfect for me. I would love to debate, but he doesn't want to.”

“I don't even know if I would run in the future. This time, I ran to stop the sale of the club. That was my main red line. If anyone had doubts, yesterday in 'El País' it became clear that they would open the Statutes for the sale of the club,” he concluded.