Florentino Pérez has been successfully re-elected as the president of Real Madrid, marking the club's first contested presidential election in two decades. The 79-year-old secured a commanding victory over businessman Enrique Riquelme, garnering 65 percent of the total votes cast. This election was largely seen as a crucial test of his leadership, especially after the club experienced two seasons without claiming a major trophy. Following the confirmation of the results, Pérez, speaking at a hotel near the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, celebrated the outcome as a significant win for both the club and its democratic principles. He declared, "We have obtained the second-best result in the history of Real Madrid elections. It is an extraordinary result. Today, Real Madrid won. We have shown an example of democracy to the world. We will continue working to ensure Real Madrid keeps winning trophies. I want to thank everyone who participated. Together, we still have a lot of history to make."

According to reports, Pérez received 21,741 votes, constituting 65 percent of the ballots, while his challenger Riquelme secured 11,814 votes, representing 35 percent. This electoral contest was notable as it was the first time since 2006 that Real Madrid members had a choice between multiple candidates for the presidency. Pérez had previously been elected unopposed on five occasions: in 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025, demonstrating his consistent hold on the club's top position for many years.

Pérez's current presidency dates back to 2009, following an earlier tenure from 2000 to 2006. Throughout his leadership, Real Madrid has enjoyed one of its most illustrious periods in history, achieving seven UEFA Champions League titles and seven La Liga crowns. His decision to call a surprise vote, triggering a two-week election campaign, aimed to solicit a renewed mandate from the club's members, especially after a comparatively lean period regarding major silverware.

During his campaign, Pérez outlined several ambitious plans should he win re-election. These included the stated intention to bring back José Mourinho as head coach. Furthermore, he revealed agreements for the signings of Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries, alongside a pledge to submit a bid exceeding €150 million for an unnamed marquee attacking player, signaling his commitment to strengthening the squad significantly.

Enrique Riquelme, the 37-year-old challenger, based his campaign on a platform advocating for substantial change within the club. His key promises included appointing Jürgen Klopp as manager and pursuing high-profile player acquisitions such as Erling Haaland and Rodri from Manchester City. Despite his defeat, Riquelme expressed gratitude to his supporters and reiterated his firm opposition to any alterations to the club’s traditional ownership model, stating, "I want to congratulate Florentino Pérez and his candidacy on their victory. I also want to thank all the members who listened to our message and understood the importance of voting after 20 years. Our red line has always been opposition to the sale of the club. We know that Real Madrid is not for sale."

Pérez initially ascended to power in 2000, famously defeating Lorenzo Sanz by campaigning on the promise to sign Portuguese star Luís Figo from rival club FC Barcelona. This move inaugurated the iconic "Galácticos" era, characterized by the recruitment of football's biggest names, including Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazário, and David Beckham. Although he resigned in 2006 following a period of underperformance on the pitch, Pérez returned to office in 2009 after Ramón Calderón's resignation. His second spell ushered in another golden era, notably marked by UEFA Champions League victories in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Looking towards the future, Pérez has indicated that a major objective for his new term will be to explore and pursue reforms to Real Madrid's ownership structure. Any such proposal, which could potentially involve the sale of a five percent stake to an external investor, would require explicit approval from the club's members. With this fresh electoral mandate secured, Florentino Pérez embarks on another chapter at the helm of Real Madrid, dedicated to restoring the club to the pinnacle of European football and further solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential presidents in the history of the sport.