Spanish businessman Enrique Riquelme confirmed on Saturday that he would run against Florentino Perez in Real Madrid's presidential elections, by formally submitting his candidacy.
"Today is a very important day for Real Madrid – after 20 years, people are going to be able to vote," Riquelme said as he left the club's offices having filed the paperwork.
Perez has been in charge since 2009 with nobody running against him until now.
If Real Madrid's electoral board accepts Riquelme's candidacy as valid, the campaign period will begin, with the election expected to take place around a fortnight later.
Riquelme, 37, a renewable energy entrepreneur, has worked quickly after Perez unexpectedly called elections on May 12, triggering a short window for candidates to present themselves.
President of the water and energy group Cox, Riquelme is the first person to stand for election against construction tycoon Perez since 2004.
Perez, 79, was first elected Real Madrid president in 2000, overseeing the club's Galactico era before resigning in 2006.
He returned in 2009, when he was the only candidate, and was re-elected unopposed in 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025.