Real Madrid presidential election campaign don hot up as Enrique Riquelme announce say Fernando Hierro go be new Director of La Fábrica, the club youth academy. Di announcement come through an emotional video on social media, showing say Riquelme dey serious about restoring di club identity.
Riquelme campaign statement tok say: “La Fábrica needs more than just talent. E need leadership, high standards and madridismo. Fernando Hierro join as Director of La Fábrica to help build an academy with structure, values and di ambition to succeed in di first team. We continue restoring di identity wey make Real Madrid great.”
Dis move follow earlier announcement say Raúl González Blanco go become new Sporting Director. Two Real Madrid captains, two people wey sabi di club well-well. Riquelme dey build strong sporting department as e contest for presidency.
Riquelme also hint say later tonight e go announce im first major signing, a foreign player. Many names dey fly around but nothing confirmed yet. Meanwhile, incumbent president Florentino Pérez no dey sleep. Though no official announcement, reports say Konaté and Dumfries deals don seal, and next Thursday e go announce another signing. José Mourinho deal don also seal for weeks.
Riquelme get im own coach wey e don sign but e no reveal di name yet. E say: “We get a coach signed. Make we no talk about nationality, make we talk about experience. We no dey go experiment. We go bring a proven coach and technical staff wey never coach Real Madrid before.”
Riquelme also yarn about Rodri, di Manchester City midfielder. E tell ESPN: “I love that player, he’s a fantastic player and di profile of player Real Madrid should have and who should be playing for di club. But obviously he’s at another club, and we get to respect that. He is di type of player who should be playing for Real Madrid. But we go talk about dat from Saturday onwards.”
Rodri, wey win Ballon d’Or in 2024, don struggle wit injury but still make 37 appearances last season. Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones don leave City, and reports say Rodri fit follow dem out, with Madrid as possible destination.
Riquelme claim say e get verbal agreements wit two international stars, and one of dem go play for Spain for World Cup. When ask if e dey prepare a signing like Luis Figo level, e reply: “Some of di players I get agreements wit are deal-breakers, without a doubt. People should pay attention because dem go please and excite di fans.”
Real Madrid elections dey hold on June 7. No major moves expected on Saturday. Everything go close by Friday. Di contest unprecedented, as di club no get two candidates for 20 years.
