The Santiago Bernabéu stadium experienced an unusual day this Saturday in the run-up to Real Madrid's last game of the season. Among fans dressed in white and the atmosphere marked by the closing of a course without titles, businessman Enrique Riquelme appeared, who seeks to compete for the club's presidency against Florentino Pérez.

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The president of Cox Energy arrived at the stadium about half an hour before the match and did so wearing a Real Madrid team shirt and scarf. His presence generated excitement among several fans who came up to greet him and chat with him before entering the venue through door 65.

Riquelme's public appearance occurred hours after going to the Valdebebas Sports City to deliver the documentation required by the electoral board. The body must determine whether the candidacy complies with the club's statutes and electoral regulations to be officially validated.

The businessman took advantage of his presence at the Bernabéu to refer to the electoral scenario that the institution is going through, something that has not happened for almost two decades.

"Today is an important day for Real Madrid because there will be elections soon, after 20 years without voting. We have 15 days to talk about the campaign, the candidacy...", he declared to the media present near the stadium.

The memory of Dani Carvajal and the reference to basketball

Beyond the electoral process, Riquelme also dedicated words to Dani Carvajal, who played his last match with the merengue team this Saturday. The Spanish full-back received signs of recognition on a day full of symbolism for the Madrid fans.

"Today is Dani Carvajal's day. The captain's day. A titan within the club. We are very sad that he is leaving, we would all have liked him to play in the World Cup, but we will be sure that he will return to the club," said the businessman, according to EFE.

The leader's attention also shifted to the Real Madrid basketball team, which will play in the Euroleague final against Olympiacos.

“And tomorrow we have to support basketball because we have the opportunity to be European champions,” he commented.

The possible candidacy of Enrique Riquelme opens a scenario unprecedented in Real Madrid since 2006, when Ramón Calderón won at the polls over Juan Palacios with 29.8% of the votes. Since Florentino Pérez's return to the presidency in 2009, the president had not faced opposition in an election.

The club is now awaiting the resolution of the electoral board to find out if Riquelme will be able to officially compete for the presidency. If his candidacy is confirmed, Real Madrid would experience an electoral campaign for the first time in almost twenty years, in the middle of a sporting transition stage after a season without titles.