Real Madrid is heading toward its first presidential election since 2006, and the contest now has a formal challenger to the incumbent leadership.
Enrique Riquelme, a businessman from Alicante and executive chairman of Grupo Cox,
“I believe Real Madrid Television can improve financially; it has the ability to draw on the youth academy, the entire Real Madrid club, and players to create certain content, to inform members, to inform Madridistas, and it should not become a sectarian outlet.
“Rather something that attracts Madridismo, and first informs current supporters, entertains current supporters, but is also a magnet to attract Madridistas around the world. And that must be profitable, not with a budget of €40 or €45 million.”
On the club’s institutional standing
Asked about Real Madrid’s strained relations with footballing institutions, he was unequivocal.
“It cannot be that we are at odds with everyone.”
“I do not need a strong Barcelona; I need a strong Real Madrid to compete against the rest. So we need them to respect us again, not fear us; it is very different.”
On his first move as president
“My first decision is for Real Madrid to professionalise, and from there, build.”