“Riquelme promises Haaland and Rodri if elected president of Real Madrid.”

Enrique Riquelme, candidate for the presidency of Real Madrid, has thrown down an explosive challenge that promises to shake up the transfer market and the election itself at the merengue club. With the elections scheduled for next Sunday, Riquelme did not hesitate to guarantee that if he defeats Florentino Pérez, Erling Haaland and Rodri will be guaranteed signings for Real Madrid. His promise, far from being mere rhetoric, was accompanied by concrete measures that have intensified the current controversy surrounding the future of the Norwegian forward.

In a bold gesture, Riquelme presented a document with a bank guarantee, assuring that if he fails to sign Haaland, he will personally pay the membership fees of all 100,000 Real Madrid members for the next season. To underline his commitment, he also displayed a jersey from the club bearing the name of the Manchester City striker, openly challenging the English giant. The City’s response was swift: in a statement, the English club asserted that there is no possibility of Haaland leaving and is considering taking the player’s agent to court, in a clear warning to the candidate.

“He is a great name, one that has been worked on for quite some time. I understand that his circle defends the player and the club, that is normal. But I am very happy to announce that great figures like Haaland, if I become president, will play for Real Madrid,” said Riquelme in an interview with the newspaper As, reaffirming the strength of the candidacy he leads.

The candidate reinforced the idea that Real Madrid continues to be the most coveted destination for the best players in the world: “More than me, what convinces Haaland is Real Madrid. Here, the best want to play, as long as the circumstances are right. Real Madrid competes with the biggest clubs, capable of winning titles, but none have the history of our club.”

Riquelme did not hold back in his veiled criticisms of rivals and warned that this is not the first time the club has faced such challenges: “This is part of football, it happened with Figo and it will continue to happen. We have to protect the players. In Rodri’s case, I know that afterwards we need to talk to City and we have the utmost respect for the club. But I am convinced that if I become president, these two players will wear the Real Madrid shirt.”

When asked about any commitments already made to the players, Riquelme was evasive, but made it clear that his word is unbreakable: “I cannot give more details so as not to compromise anyone. What I say is that I will not jeopardize my personal, professional reputation, and as a member, and even less with the formal guarantee I gave. If I fail, I will pay the dues of all members, and that is recorded in a notary.”

In the end, he left an enigmatic provocation: “It stays between us,” he said when asked if he had already met with Haaland, further fueling the anticipation surrounding his campaign and the immediate future of Real Madrid.

This announcement from Enrique Riquelme promises to shake up the landscape of Spanish and European football, placing Real Madrid at the center of the fight for two of the biggest stars of the moment. The elections have never been so decisive nor so filled with bombastic promises. The race is on, and the Madrid fans are eagerly waiting to see if this bold candidate can deliver on what he promises.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.

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