Enrique Riquelme, Real Madrid presidential candidate
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
The presidential election at Real Madrid this summer was something unprecedented but despite the best efforts of Enrique Riquelme, he couldn’t do much to dethrone Florentino Perez.
That being said, some of Riquelme’s ideas have now become more relevant than ever, including his pitch to sign Jurgen Klopp as the new manager, instead of Jose Mourinho.
However, Riquelme wasn’t always in favour of Klopp and in fact, had initially pitched Mikel Arteta as the next manager for Real Madrid.
Riquelme had favoured Arteta
According to The Athletic, Riquelme had identified Arteta as a potential successor to then-coach Alvaro Arbeloa as part of his election campaign.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager
Arteta was Riquelme’s initial choice. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The context came amid Arteta’s own contract situation at Arsenal, with the Spaniard having just signed a new four-year deal following the club’s Premier League triumph.
The report notes that Real Madrid were the biggest club searching for a new coach at the time, and Riquelme saw Arteta as an appealing candidate.
Ultimately, though, Riquelme’s campaign shifted towards Klopp, while Perez, who won the election, opted to bring back Mourinho.
As a result, Arteta’s name never progressed beyond an early consideration, and the Spaniard remained fully committed to Arsenal, where he continues to build on his growing legacy.
Arteta has consistently dismissed interest from elsewhere, including links to Barcelona in 2024.
Mourinho has his work cut out
Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
Can Mourinho turn things around? (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)
While Real Madrid ultimately chose Mourinho, the early signs suggest the Portuguese has a significant task on his hands.
Los Blancos have endured a stuttering start to the season, already sitting well behind runaway leaders Barcelona in La Liga.
Performances have been inconsistent, with the team lacking intensity and cohesion, and reports have even pointed to unrest within the dressing room.
That has inevitably led to questions over whether a different appointment, such as Arteta or Klopp, might have offered a smoother transition.
Arteta, in particular, has proven his credentials by ending Arsenal’s long wait for a Premier League title, doing so against a dominant Manchester City.
For now, Mourinho must find a way to turn things around and justify Perez’s faith. With a demanding run of fixtures ahead, including El Clasico, the pressure is already building.
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid superstar
Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images
Kylian Mbappe is facing growing scrutiny at Real Madrid, with questions now being raised over his relationship with the club and his long-term future at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The French forward remains one of the most productive players in the squad, scoring eight goals in eight appearances across all competitions during the 2026/27 season.
Yet his recent knee injury and activities away from Madrid have created an unexpected wave of criticism.
Mbappe was given permission by Real Madrid to recover away from the club after suffering a hyperextension of the left knee joint capsule while on international duty.
However, his trips to Paris and Switzerland, including images of him riding a bicycle, have attracted criticism amid Mourinho’s recent stance on what players should be doing while recovering.
Mbappe’s Real Madrid future questioned
The latest comments have come from RMC Sport journalist Daniel Riolo (h/t Mundo Deportivo), who believes the bicycle incident is part of a much bigger concern surrounding the Frenchman.
Assessing the situation, Riolo questioned whether Mbappe remains fully motivated and suggested that the forward’s behaviour is creating unnecessary tension around him.
“The bicycle incident is just the tip of the iceberg. I’m starting to wonder: Does Mbappe still have the desire? What does he want?
Mbappe has been in the new of late. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
“It seems like he wakes up every morning thinking, ‘I’m going to screw up.’ He can’t keep making mistakes like this,” said Riolo.
Riolo also criticised the message Mbappe’s actions could send to supporters and those around him.
“I’m not saying he has to go to every away game, but on Monday at the Stade de France, all the big names were there.
“The French football family gathered together. I’m not saying it’s mandatory, but he has the right to do something, instead of sending this ‘I don’t give a damn what you think’ message. But there’s a limit.
“Send a positive message. Come to the Stade de France: ‘No, I don’t want to.’ Stay in Madrid: ‘No, I don’t want to.’ Don’t show up outside a nightclub: ‘No, I don’t want to.’
**“Go for a bike ride when Mourinho doesn’t want you to: ‘No, I don’t want to.’ Enough! You’re going too far, enough!**” Riolo added.
Shock Kylian Mbappe exit claim emerges
The criticism has now gone beyond his recent behaviour, with Riolo openly questioning Mbappe’s mental state and the influence of those around him.
“I get the impression that he’s not mentally well.” When you leave him at the World Cup, everything is fine. He’s with his friends, having a great time, projecting a fantastic image.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid
Mbappe’s actions have been called into question. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
“Then, his obsession with the Ballon d’Or leads him to make this statement… You offend one of your friends (Ousmane Dembele), it’s a shame, but you do it.
“There was an explanation, but in reality, there isn’t one. Enough! You’re just giving your detractors more ammunition,” the journalist continued.
Riolo believes the changes surrounding Mbappe’s personal life, commercial commitments and football career may all be contributing to the situation.
He doesn’t understand why “no one in his circle is telling him this; it leads me to conclude that he’s not well,” he said.
“His personal life has changed. He has the right to be in love, but does he want something more? Football is exhausting him.
Everything that’s happening around him, the expectations, are wearing him down, especially now that he’s making such a drastic change of sponsor.
“I don’t understand how he’s handling it or who these people are who are really thinking about everything around him. I don’t understand what he’s trying to do, this attitude, this distancing from everyone,” he noted.
Riolo ultimately delivered the biggest claim of all, concluding, “Let’s not rule out a departure at the end of the season.”