“Florentino and I are worlds apart”

Enrique Riquelme has given his first official interview as a candidate after figuring out the dates of the elections for the presidency of Actual Madrid. He has accomplished it to The Athletic, with Mario Cortegana and Guillermo Rai as interviewers.

Talking about his rival, Riquelme had this to say about Florentino: “We’re worlds aside. At my age, Florentino had not but began out as a businessman, so it might be troublesome for him to totally consider or perceive that facet of my profile. Again then, I believe he was nonetheless a part of the Madrid metropolis council earlier than constructing a notable enterprise profession later.”

Relating to the actual fact of presenting himself on this electoral course of, Riquelme was clear: “I used to be not planning to current a candidacy within the quick time period. My chronology was 2028, not now. This stunned me. However occasions accelerated. That instantly compelled us to place ourselves. Florentino overtly stated that if somebody needed elections, they need to current themselves as a candidate. He knew completely nicely that the deadline was solely 5 working days. We didn’t make the ultimate resolution till the top as a result of we needed to be sure that we introduced a critical and aggressive challenge, particularly with regard to the monetary assure. However from day one we had been positive that we had the mandatory help. We additionally knew that it was not going to make the scenario simpler for us.”

First elections in 20 years

“The entire system is designed like this. The fact is that there was no candidacy in 20 years. Are we actually speculated to imagine that not a single Madrid fan needed to be president of Actual Madrid throughout that point? What makes this candidacy thrilling is that Actual Madrid has not had actual elections in 20 years. Ours is a respectful {and professional} candidacy, which respects the membership’s DNA and seeks to reconnect with the essence of Actual Madrid, whereas recognizing the legacy that already exists,” Riquelme stated of the truth that there are elections.

A Riquelme who spoke about the opportunity of the membership ceasing to be 100% owned by its members: “Florentino Pérez clearly believes that privatization is one of the simplest ways ahead. However my query is: Why? Why ought to Actual Madrid stop to belong to its members? Is the membership actually in such a foul monetary scenario that that is needed? I perceive the monetary facet of soccer very nicely and I firmly imagine that Actual Madrid can proceed to be owned by its members whereas competing on the highest degree.”

“I’m utterly in opposition to privatization as a result of I do not suppose it’s needed. What precisely does the member acquire by privatizing the membership? In actuality, privatization is getting used as an excuse to justify altering the statutes. Why is the privatization of the membership, in addition to the Tremendous League and plenty of different issues, managed by somebody very near him (Pérez), somebody who has just lately develop into a member, skipping all potential ready lists? Why is there somebody with a lot energy subsequent to the president who doesn’t maintain any official place and who additionally participates in many of the membership’s operations?” he concluded on the topic.

Criticisms in opposition to the Negreira Case

A Riquelme who spoke concerning the planning: “Actually, that is not what members ask me probably the most. I spend my days speaking to members and teams of supporters, sitting with them, listening to their issues and attempting to know what they really need from the membership. And I might say that 80 or 90 p.c of these conversations revolve round points associated to the members, as a result of they really feel deserted after 20 years with out vital consideration being paid to them.”

“The Negreira case is a transparent instance of the downward spiral that the membership has been experiencing in latest instances. For 2 lengthy years, the membership was conscious of the case and did nothing, when it ought to have led the motion to deliver the case to gentle” he stated concerning the Negreira Case.

Extra about planning

Riquelme gave an unique: “We’re going to appoint a coach who matches a long-term challenge. The members will really feel very pleased with the profile we deliver to Actual Madrid. It is a challenge designed to generate enthusiasm from day one, but in addition to create a very skilled construction with hierarchy, group and true administration capability.”

On financial points, Riquelme has been forceful: “Proper now, Actual Madrid is dropping round 80 million euros a yr, and that deficit is compensated by extraordinary sources of earnings such because the sale of VIP seats. One-off gross sales, distinctive transactions — each season there’s something. We criticize Barcelona for utilizing “monetary levers”, however these are additionally levers. In fact, the conditions are totally different, and Actual Madrid is in a a lot stronger place than Barcelona, no doubt, however there’s nonetheless a danger. If the “Actual Madrid stops reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League each season, the monetary affect turns into rather more critical.”