Image Credits: Imago Images
For the first time in two decades, Real Madrid members were asked to do vote for a new president at the club.
Sunday, June 7 marked a genuinely historic occasion at the Bernabeu, as the club held its first contested presidential election since 2006. Florentino Perez had stood unopposed across five consecutive electoral cycles.
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Around 95,000 registered members were eligible to participate, with voting taking place at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training facility from 9am to 8pm local time this past Sunday.
Perez’s sole challenger was Spanish businessman Enrique Riquelme. With 100% of ballots counted, Perez reported secured 65% of the vote – winning at every single polling table and extending his presidential mandate through to 2030.
“I am still here, and I am here to defend Real Madrid. We will continue working so that Real Madrid keeps winning titles, and we will fight until the end to achieve the sixteenth European Cup,” he said to Real Madrid’s media channels.
“You have demonstrated your commitment and loyalty to the club. Real Madrid has won. We have set an example to the world of democracy, transparency, and coexistence. We have shown that we are a big family, that we love Real Madrid, and that we are prepared for the future.”
Now, for Liverpool fans, the consequences of that result are becoming increasingly clear. Throughout the campaign, Perez had made little secret of the fact Ibrahima Konate would be pulling on the famous white shirt should he win the elections
Reports had consistently linked the move directly to the election outcome, suggesting a Perez victory would immediately unlock a four-year deal for Konate at the Bernabeu.
Perez has won. The conditions have been met. All signs now point to Konate heading to Real Madrid very soon.
Konate joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021 in a £35 million deal. Since arriving at Anfield, he made 183 appearances, managing to win the Premier League in 2024/25, as well as the FA Cup and EFL Cup twice.