Florentino Pérez promises Mourinho return as Real Madrid presidential election enters final days

The campaign announcement

Florentino Pérez delivered his campaign announcement through a 15-second video posted on his official campaign account on Wednesday evening. The clip shows José Mourinho wearing a Real Madrid shirt, smiling at the camera and saying a single word: "Sí". The video opens with the phrase "Mientras en la tele, hablan y hablan y hablan" ("While on TV, they talk and talk and talk") and carries the slogan "So MOUch history to be made", a play on the Portuguese coach's name.

While on TV, they talk and talk and talk...

The timing was strategic: the video aired on Antena 3 and Telecinco just as Pérez's electoral rival, Enrique Riquelme, was being interviewed on the programme El Hormiguero.

Riquelme's counter-offer

During his television appearance, Riquelme made his own high-profile pledges. He stated that Manchester City midfielder and Spain captain Rodri would be his first signing if elected. "I cannot say it more clearly: if I am president, Rodri will play for Real Madrid," he said. Riquelme also said he would target Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and that former Real Madrid forward Raúl would serve as his sporting director.

I cannot say it more clearly: if I am president, Rodri will play for Real Madrid.

On the managerial front, Riquelme promised a "superstar coach" without naming anyone, stating he would bring "the greatest coach you can imagine" to the club.

The AI controversy

Portuguese media outlet Record reported that Mourinho contacted his current club, Benfica, after the video was released to explain that he had not recorded any footage wearing a Real Madrid shirt and that the video was generated using artificial intelligence. The same report claims Real Madrid has "notified in writing" the Portuguese club that it will pay €15 million for Mourinho next week if Pérez wins the election.

Pérez's broader platform

Beyond the Mourinho announcement, Pérez's campaign includes a promise of at least five new signings. The names linked to his project include Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté, who would arrive on a free transfer, and Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries, who would cost around €25 million. Pérez has also proposed selling a 5% stake in the club, a plan Riquelme characterises as an attempt to privatise Real Madrid. Pérez rejects this characterisation, arguing it would give economic ownership to the members without ceding control.

If, when the time comes, the members decide to bring in an investor with a maximum of 5% to value the club, that brand, global or whatever, will not run the club nor participate in any of its decisions. That is not privatising, it is the opposite: it is giving the economic ownership of the club to the members.

The stakes

This is Real Madrid's first contested presidential election in 20 years. Pérez, 79, is seeking another term after a disappointing domestic campaign in which Barcelona secured back-to-back league titles. Real Madrid, 15-time Champions League winners, have exited Europe's top club competition at the quarter-final stage in the last two seasons. Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey and one Spanish Super Cup, and reaching three consecutive Champions League semi-finals. Since leaving Chelsea in 2015, his trophy haul has included the League Cup and Europa League with Manchester United and the Conference League with AS Roma. He is currently under contract at Benfica until June 2027.

The election takes place on Sunday, 7 June.