On the day of the Clásico between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, Enrique Riquelme, who ran for the club's presidency last summer, was visible in the CampNou stands. Through his social media accounts, the former player shared two photographs: one showing his position in the stadium and another with a sweatshirt that bears the logo of his “First, Real Madrid” campaign. The gesture generated curiosity and debate within the club, as Riquelme is presented as a concrete alternative to FlorentinoPérez, whose mandate extends until 2031.
The candidate, who has long been a controversial figure in Spanish football, took advantage of the match to reinforce his public presence. In the first image, Riquelme can be seen sitting among the fans, while in the second the t-shirt with the message of his campaign stands out, which has been the subject of analysis by the media. The message in the photo suggests a message of renewal and a club-centric approach, as had been announced in their electoral platform.
Meanwhile, the president of Real Madrid, FlorentinoPérez, decided not to attend the meeting and delegated his representation to two figures from the institution: the honorary president JoséMartínez “Pirri” and the vice president EduardoFernández deBlas. This decision, which was officially communicated, indicates that the club maintains its position of not participating in Riquelme's presence in the stadium. Pérez's absence in the Clásico has been interpreted as a sign that the club does not want its image to be directly associated with the campaign of a former candidate.
The fact that Riquelme was present at the CampNou during the match, at the same time that the club sent its representatives, underlines the tension between the figure of the former player and the current administration. Riquelme's presence in the stands, along with the visibility of his campaign, reinforces his position as a viable option for the Real Madrid presidency, especially with the possibility of the club seeking new leadership before his current term ends.
In the coming days, Real Madrid is expected to continue communicating its position regarding Riquelme's candidacy and that analyzes will be carried out on the impact of his presence in the Classic. Meanwhile, Riquelme will continue promoting his message “First, Real Madrid”, with the intention of consolidating his support base and preparing for any future electoral eventuality.