Real Madrid’s electoral campaign reached one of its moments of greatest tension this June 4. Manchester City and Erling Haaland’s entourage categorically denied businessman Enrique Riquelme, who on June 2 promised to sign the Norwegian striker if he wins next Sunday’s elections.
In an official statement, the English club described the information about Haaland’s future as “false”: “There is no possibility of this happening and there is no contractual clause that allows it. We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”
For their part, the player’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, and his representative, Rafaela Pimenta, issued a brief message: “All very entertaining, but it is not true. We wish both candidates the best in the elections.”
Riquelme does not give up
Despite the double denial, the 37-year-old candidate reaffirmed his position on June 4 on Spanish Television (TVE): “It’s normal, they have to protect the player. Starting Monday we will talk to Manchester City.”
Riquelme had appeared on the Spanish program The Anthill with Haaland’s shirt (number 9) and signed a notarized commitment: if he does not fulfill his promises (Haaland, Rodri and Raúl as sports director), he will pay 100% of the fees of the club’s approximately 100,000 members.
Haaland, concentrated with Norway to compete in the 2026 World Cup, has scored 38 goals in 52 games this season and was the Premier League’s top scorer for the third time in four years.
In January 2025, the forward renewed his contract with Manchester City until 2034. However, various British and Spanish media have reported on the existence of a possible clause related to future interest from Real Madrid.
Riquelme competes in the elections for the presidency of Real Madrid with the current president, Florentino Pérez, who aspires to a new period at the head of the club, after his periods between 2000 and 2006 and from 2009 to the present. The elections will be held on June 7. Polls continue to give a wide advantage to Pérez, while Riquelme’s campaign has achieved notable media coverage in recent weeks.