Why Real Madrid's Presidential Race Is Now Revolving Around Club Legend Raul

Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has announced he will appoint Raúl González as sporting director if he wins this month's election.

The 37-year-old Riquelme is considered the underdog in the elections called ahead of schedule by sitting president Florentino Pérez last month. The renewable energy businessman is the first challenger to face Pérez in two decades and has vowed to bring major changes if elected.

Running under the campaign slogan "legacy and future", Riquelme says he plans to transform Madrid's Valdebebas training complex into a fan-oriented hub featuring swimming pools, padel courts, and a basketball arena.

He has also promised to slash membership fees by 50% while shortening season ticket waiting lists.

On the footballing front, Riquelme has made several bold claims, including that he already has an agreement in place for Real Madrid's next first-team head coach as well as two transfer targets—one of whom, he has confirmed, is a Spanish international.

Riquelme Promises Raúl Return

Speaking on Cadena SER, Riquelme has also tied a club icon to his campaign by naming former striker and captain Raúl as his intended sporting director.

Riquelme stated: "I already have a sporting director lined up, and he's Spanish. We've agreed on the signings together with him and the coach.

"He's someone who represented Real Madrid for 16 seasons. He's the ideal person. It's Raúl González Blanco. If I win the election, Raúl González Blanco will serve as Real Madrid's sporting director.

"We need a culture of professionals who would never do anything to hurt Real Madrid. I laid out the project to him, and the more time I spend with him, the more convinced I am that he'll always put Real Madrid's interests first."

The 48-year-old Raúl departed his role as Real Madrid Castilla manager—the club's reserve side—in the summer of 2025, after being passed over for the first-team coaching position, with Xabi Alonso appointed in his place.

When asked whether Raúl, Madrid's all-time record appearance holder, could have been considered for the manager's role this time, Riquelme responded: "He can offer far more from a sporting director's position. Because he truly understands what Real Madrid stands for. We need a coach with enough experience."

Raúl's Revenge Against Pérez

Raúl's association with Riquelme's campaign raised eyebrows throughout Madrid, with the former captain becoming the first high-profile name to align himself with the challenger's bid.

A deeply admired figure among Madrid supporters for his journey from academy product to winner of six La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies, Raúl's name carries considerable influence and could prove to be a game-changer for Riquelme, who faces a tough task in toppling Pérez.

From Riquelme's perspective, enlisting Raúl brings clear prestige, while also drawing attention to the absence of a sporting director within Madrid's increasingly disorganized structure. For Raúl, the move could be interpreted as a settling of scores with Pérez, given the complicated history between the two.

Pérez, a year after reclaiming the presidency in 2009, chose to let Raúl go after 741 appearances for the club, signaling the start of a new Galácticos era.

Raúl was subsequently welcomed back to Madrid as a youth team coach, eventually being promoted to Castilla manager in 2019. However, he was never given the same opportunity as figures like Zinedine Zidane to step up to the first team, and departed last summer after growing disillusioned with the lack of advancement under Pérez.

Raúl pledged to return "home" someday following his exit at the close of the 2024–25 season. He may have found that path back alongside Riquelme.