Presidential election in Madrid stirs up controversy

Ahead of the critical presidential election to be held on Sunday at Real Madrid, candidate Enrique Riquelme's announcement that he would sign Erling Haaland and Rodri if elected has caused an uproar at English giants Manchester City. A Manchester City spokesperson issued a stern statement, saying, "We are considering initiating legal action."

RIQUELME GUARANTEES "HAALAND AND RODRI" TO MEMBERS

Making an ambitious move in the election race, Enrique Riquelme challenged club members with the following words, claiming he would bring both of Manchester City's aces to the club:

"I have signed an official guarantee that if I cannot keep my transfer promises regarding either of these players (Haaland and Rodri), I will pay the membership fees for all club members for the coming season out of my own pocket. Haaland has a release clause in his contract, and he already wants to come to Madrid."

MANCHESTER CITY: "NO SUCH CLAUSE EXISTS, WE WILL FILE A LAWSUIT"

Furious following these remarks, the Manchester City management stood up to the Spanish candidate through their official spokesperson and categorically denied the transfer claims:

Contract claim is false: "All reports emerging in Spain regarding Erling Haaland's future are untrue. Not only is there no possibility of this transfer happening, but there is also no contract or release clause that would make this possible."

Legal process beginning: "We are seriously considering initiating legal action due to our player's name and image being used in this context as campaign material for the Real Madrid presidential election."

SARCASTIC RESPONSE FROM HIS AGENT AND FATHER: "VERY FUNNY BUT FALSE"

Following this election storm in Spain, the 25-year-old Norwegian striker's agent, Rafaela Pimenta, and his father, Alfie Haaland, issued a joint statement mocking the claims. The pair closed the door on the matter, saying, "Everything looks very funny from the outside, but the claims are not true. We wish both candidates success in the Madrid elections."

CONTRACT EXTENDED UNTIL 2034

Erling Haaland, one of the most valuable strikers in world football, sat down with Manchester City in January 2025 to renew his contract, signing a historic deal that ties him to the English club until June 30, 2034. The fact that a player with such a long-term commitment to the club was used as campaign fodder was the main factor that exhausted the patience of the City management.