Spanish businessman Enrique Riquelme is desperately trying to challenge incumbent Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in the upcoming elections, and in order to get the fans to take him seriously against a larger than life figure who has become an institution of his own, almost to the level of a footballing deity, he is making some bold promises.
In addition to teasing impending signings, Riquelme has been talking an awful lot about bringing a Ballon d'Or winner to the Santiago Bernabeu midfield. Manchester City star Rodri has been in transfer rumors to Real Madrid for the past few months, even flirting openly with the Merengues during an international break with the Spanish national team.
With Pep Guardiola stepping down as Man City manager, Rodri is expected to leave the club this summer, and Real Madrid have a real opening to bring him in, especially since the midfielder made it clear that he has nothing but respect for Vinicius Junior since the Brazilian's Ballon d'Or snub was a sore subject for Madridistas a couple of years ago.
Enrique Riquelme loves him more than Florentino Perez
Enrique Riquelme spoke again about Rodri joining Real Madrid in an interview with COPE, via Madrid Xtra, and he seemed to boldly guarantee the Spanish international coming if he were to be elected Real Madrid president.
The founder of Cox Energy said, “Rodri is a great player. If I'm president of Real Madrid, Rodri will play for Real Madrid.”
Rodri is heading to the wrong side of 30 and is not far removed from an ACL tear, so he is not the Ballon d'Or winner that he was in the 2023/24 season. But he is still one of the best midfielders in the world and way better than the current holding midfielders in Madrid - comparing him to Aurelien Tchouameni is not even a contest if Madridistas are being honest about the Frenchman's lack of growth since his arrival as Casemiro's alleged replacement in 2022.
A lot will depend on cost for Florentino Perez, who is leery about giving too much in both transfer fees and wages to a player with no resale value. However, it appears Riquelme is sold on bringing a player and character like Rodri to Real Madrid, and he appears to have no qualms about the age or injury record. But tellingly, if Riquelme is not including him as one of the superstars he is guaranteeing to come if he is president, then maybe he is after some truly earth shattering names. Or just blowing smoke.
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