Spanish banking closes the door to backing Enrique Riquelme's candidacy for Real Madrid

MadridThe major Spanish banks have closed the door to backing Enrique Riquelme's candidacy for the presidency of Real Madrid, according to an advance by El País and confirmed by ARA. Riquelme needs guarantees from financial entities to meet one of the requirements to run in the elections for the white club: to have a net worth of 187 million euros (15% of Real Madrid's budget, as required by the club's statutes). With the refusal of Spanish banks, specifically Banco Santander and BBVA, the businessman has sought guarantees from foreign financial entities to be able to claim he has this economic capacity. It will be thanks to these international banks that he will be able to maintain the candidacy he himself would lead. Both BBVA and Banco Santander have declined to comment.

executive powers to Riquelme's number two,executive powers to Riquelme's number two, Nacho Moreno, current CEO of Cox.

The energy company has made a stratospheric leap since its inception in 2014. Riquelme explained this Friday that in 2025 the group achieved "record levels" of income, exceeding 1,100 million euros in turnover. However, media attention on the energy company has focused particularly since it acquired Iberdrola's subsidiary in Mexico, an operation that was just closed last April. "It was when it gained visibility," say sources from the energy sector. "It represents a change of scale," Riquelme acknowledged this Friday. However, it is not yet officially known who will accompany this businessman, only 37 years old, in this race for the presidency of Real Madrid. Riquelme has until this Saturday, May 23, to present a well-defined project.