Enrique Riquelme promises his first mega signing if he becomes president – ‘He will play for Real Madrid’
· Yahoo Sports
Visit asg-reflektory.pl for more information.
Enrique Riquelme appears to be the only party campaigning ahead of Real Madrid’s presidential elections with purpose, for Florentino Perez has barely made any open commitment to win.
The current president is the massive favourite to win regardless, and that is likely the reason for his confidence.
Riquelme, however, is going all out with mega announcements, repeated endorsements of his project, and even promises of big-name signings should he be brought to power.
Riquelme’s mega announcement
Riquelme spoke to the media via Diario AS earlier this week where he continued to tease the announcements of his signings and seemingly postponed the announcement once again.
“Tonight we start with news in the sports part. The rest of the days we will be giving data on who will accompany us as sports director, in the quarry, coaches. And then what everyone is waiting for, who will be the big signings?”
“We are going to give during the week at least two names, two stars, who are fundamental and will change the dynamic, they will make the team more competitive,” he added.
He then continued to speak about the schedule according to which he will gradually announce details of his plans as Real Madrid president.
“These days we will continue to give names. Next Wednesday we will name one of the great stars within our candidacy.”
Going forward in the interview, however, he did name one of his big-name player signings to be Manchester City’s Rodri.
“Rodri is a great player, I have said it many times, these days, when they have asked me and I don’t have to hide it. If I am president of Real Madrid, a player like Rodri will play in Real Madrid.”
Rodri is Riquelme’s first marquee signing. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
“So, the Spanish national team will have a player, and we will not go through the painful shame of not having any Real Madrid players in the Spanish National Team. I would like Rodri to play for Real Madrid,” he added, speaking on the Spanish NT not having Real Madrid players.
On Florentino Perez
The presidential candidate then spoke out on Florentino Perez openly refusing to have a debate with him ahead of the elections.
“I’m surprised [that Florentino doesn’t want to debate]. In that first press conference, it seemed to me that he invited us to introduce ourselves, put the candidacy and the endorsement, and then start debating.”
Perez refused to debate with Riquelme. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“We are going with a proposal for a healthy and professional candidacy, we respect his legacy, it is the basis of the future and we simply want to propose our ideas, debate them – how he sees privatisation of the club and how we see it,” he added.
Stressing how a debate would only be healthy for the growth and direction of the club, Riquelme said,
“It’s healthy to debate ideas after 20 years. I respect that he doesn’t want to debate, but if someone doesn’t want to debate, is he prepared to lead the club?”
“I wish there were more candidates and several proposals could be discussed. We have to propose a club for the next few years, what Madrid we want for 2040,” he added.
He was then asked about Florentino Perez’s presence at Real Madrid Castilla’s game on Friday and why he did not attend.
“I went to work at my electoral headquarters. Some people went to Di Stéfano with polo shirts from my candidacy and they were not allowed in,” he said.
He then commented on the buses he arranged in Budapest at the venue of the UCL final, saying,
“The buses in Budapest seem to me a healthy wink with a sense of humor. The Champions League is our home.”
On the Casa del Socios
Finally, the presidential candidate was asked about his plan to open a special Casa del Socios for the club members, saying,
“It’s been 20 years since certain rights have been taken away from the members. The Casa del Socios will be paid with the club’s savings, between 120 and 140 million euros that we have in general expenses, not sporting.”
He then asked for the trust of club members and their votes for the project he had in mind.
“I am not asking for the vote for myself,” he said.
“I am asking the partner to vote on proposals, the problem is that only proposals come from one side. The candidacy of candidate Pérez only speaks of me. His agenda is me and in a way that is not the right one,” he concluded.