Florentino counter-programs Riquelme's star signing and announces Mourinho's return

BarcelonaIf Enrique Riquelme defeats Florentino Pérez at the polls on Sunday, Erling Haaland will be a Real Madrid player. This is the announcement made by the candidate in the white club's elections. Riquelme presented it with a Real Madrid jersey showing the name of the Norwegian star from Manchester City and the number nine, accompanied by a notarized document in which he commits not to sell any percentage of the club if he becomes president. "I have signed a personal notarized guarantee where if I fail to keep any of my promises, I will pay 100% of all fees for Real Madrid's 100,000 members next season," he confessed.

While the young Alicante businessman appeared on television, Florentino Pérez took the opportunity to broadcast a video on social media announcing the support of José Mourinho —main candidate for the Real Madrid bench—, who would return to the white club. A video that also aired on Antena 3 just after the broadcast of El Hormiguero, the program in which Riquelme announced his star signing.

"He had him in his time, he's a good coach. Our project is a completely different style, with a lot of experience in the European competition. I have another coach." This was Riquelme's reaction to Florentino's counter-programming with Mourinho as the new occupant of the Santiago Bernabéu bench.

Hours after the two electoral announcements, the other parties involved have reacted with different denials. The most forceful has been Haaland's, who through his father and his representative has communicated that he has no agreement to go to Madrid. Manchester City, the club where the Norwegian forward plays, has also denied conversations in this regard and has threatened Riquelme with legal action for displaying a white jersey with Haaland's name on television. On the other hand, according to the Portuguese newspaper Record, Mourinho has informed Benfica – his current club – that the announcement broadcast by Florentino is a montage made with artificial intelligence.

"Florentino has used the club's structure"

Besides Haaland, Riquelme also said again that if he wins on Sunday at the polls, Rodri —also a Manchester City footballer— will be a Real Madrid player. "If I am president of Real Madrid, there will be a Spanish national team player at the club", he added.

However, the Madridista candidate expressed the difficulties he is encountering. "The postal vote is running out and my votes have not been able to reach the people," he confessed. "He has used the club's structure in his campaign," he explained in reference to Florentino. Riquelme reiterated that the possible sale of the club announced by the current president was a "red line" for him to run for election. "The enthusiasm has become a responsibility," he underlined.

Pablo Motos confirmed that Florentino has also been offered the possibility of going to El Hormiguero, but the white president, so far, has not accepted the proposal. "The latest news we have is that there was a 10% chance and that it is getting less and less," explained the presenter. What does seem clear is that Florentino will go this Thursday to the program Horizonte by Iker Jiménez on Cuatro.