Spanish businessman Enrique Riquelme has officially been approved as a candidate for the Real Madrid presidency, setting up a high-profile election battle against incumbent Florentino Pérez, who is seeking an eighth term.
The club’s electoral commission unanimously validated Riquelme’s candidacy for the vote scheduled on June 7, 2026, confirming that he met all legal and financial requirements, including Spain’s mandatory banking endorsement rule for presidential candidates.
A minor administrative issue was identified in his application regarding an outdated membership number for one of his associates, but this was not deemed significant enough to invalidate his bid.
Long-time member and energy sector entrepreneur
Riquelme has been a Real Madrid member (socios) for over 20 years, a mandatory condition to run for club president. He is also the son of a former board member during Ramón Calderón’s presidency (2006–2009).
He is the founder and president of Cox Energy, a company specializing in renewable energy infrastructure and water treatment, which he transitioned into after earlier ventures in real estate and construction.
In 2024, Cox Energy reported a net profit of €59 million, up 62% year-on-year, with revenues exceeding €700 million.
Rapidly growing personal wealth
According to El Mundo, Enrique Riquelme’s personal fortune is estimated at €460 million, representing an increase of around €250 million in just one year.
Beyond Cox Energy, he is also reported to own stakes in four additional Madrid-based companies, further strengthening his financial profile ahead of the election.
The presidential race is expected to be one of the most closely watched in Real Madrid’s modern history, as Pérez seeks to extend his long-standing dominance while facing a financially powerful challenger.