Florentino Pérez recorded an overwhelming endorsement to retain his seat as president of Real Madrid in a race against his opponent, Enrique Riquelme.

Pérez, who has served as president for 23 years across two spells, first between 2000 and 2006 and then since 2009, had won the last five elections unopposed. This time, he polled 65% of the votes to retain his seat.

The 37-year-old challenger, Enrique Riquelme, lost with 35% after a total of 33,555 members exercised their right to vote and decide the future of the club.

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The declaration of the final results was delayed after Riquelme challenged the validity of around 1,000 postal votes, of which over 400 were eventually struck off.

This victory grants Pérez the mandate to remain as president for five more years and gives him the opportunity to implement his plan of selling 5% of the club.

The most anticipated moment after the victory is the unveiling of the “unknown galáctico” he vowed to sign, with a record bid of €150 million from a Champions League club to bolster the team.

Under his leadership, Real Madrid have won seven European titles and become one of the richest clubs in world football, facing little competition financially.

Pérez has announced the signing of José Mourinho, while players such as Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries are also reported to have joined the club.

SB/JE

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