Enrique Riquelme attacks Perez: There are things I don't like, and selling Real Madrid is a red line!

The election campaign has ended, but the political aftershocks at Real Madrid have not subsided. Enrique Riquelme, who just received 35% of the vote in the presidential election, has not left the stage. In an interview with Marca, he declared categorically: selling the club is a red line, and he will act if any statute change opens the door to that deal. This story is not about tactics or player transfers. It is about the ownership model, the statutes, and the battle between the member tradition and private capital that is reshaping European football. Riquelme is clear about his position: "I respect the election result." He does not personally attack Florentino Perez, who remains president. But he does not hide his discomfort: "There are things I don't like." And above all, he sets a line that cannot be crossed: selling Real Madrid. The legal issue lies in the club's statutes. Real Madrid is one of the few Spanish clubs still owned by its members, known as socios. To sell the club, the statutes must first be amended. That is exactly what Riquelme is targeting. He says he will act if he sees any change that "opens the door" to a sale. This is not just rhetoric; it is a signal that he is ready for a legal battle or a member mobilization campaign if necessary. The financial backdrop makes this debate particularly significant. Real Madrid is among the world's highest-revenue clubs. But rivals backed by investment funds or governments can outspend them. That is the structural pressure that keeps the ownership question simmering. Riquelme understands this, which is why he draws the red line now. Riquelme does not rule out running again in the future. He says "the door remains wide open" and mentions "a few years from now." This suggests he is building a long-term political base, not just a defeated candidate accepting defeat gracefully. 35% of the vote is a substantial position. It turns him into the voice of a significant minority, ready to watch over every move from the board. This story extends beyond Real Madrid. It is a typical confrontation between the member-club model and the privatization trend spreading across Europe. If Real Madrid, one of the most influential clubs in the world, changes its ownership model, it will set a precedent for other member clubs. Conversely, if Riquelme's red line holds, it will reinforce the belief that this model can still survive at the top of world football. In short, Riquelme's statement is not a frontal attack but a positioning act. He respects the election result, but does not give up oversight. He supports the team, but is ready to fight any structural change he deems dangerous. This is the material of a long game, where every word is weighed and every statute detail can become a battlefield. For the fans, the lesson is clear: don't be fooled by the headlines. Riquelme is not burning any bridges. He is standing at one end of the bridge, raising his flag, and making clear that if someone tries to destroy it, he will not stand by and watch. That is the rhythm of a political chess game, not the rhythm of a football match. But like football, it requires patience, the ability to read the game, and a little sadness in realizing that love for the club sometimes has to go through the hardest fights.