Real Madrid’s presidential election has produced its first genuine contest in two decades, with businessman Enrique Riquelme challenging incumbent Florentino Perez.
Riquelme has promised that, if elected, he will sign Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. Appearing on Spanish television programme El Hormiguero on the 3rd of June 2026, he held up a Real Madrid shirt bearing Haaland’s name and the number 9, and declared:
“He has a release clause and wants to join Real Madrid. If I become president, he will play for Real Madrid.”
Riquelme also named City midfielder Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, known as Rodri, as a target, saying:
“He is a great player, in a position where Madrid need to strengthen. We have spoken to his agent. We have to respect his club, but if I’m president he will play for Madrid. I will do everything possible.”
To underline those promises, he added:
“If I break my promises regarding either of these players, I’ve signed a guarantee where I’d pay 100 per cent of membership costs for next season.”
Manchester City swiftly dismissed the claims. In a statement, a club spokesperson said:
“The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue. There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it.” The statement added: “We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”
Haaland’s father, Alfie Haaland, and his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, also rejected the suggestion, saying:
“All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections.”
Haaland joined Manchester City in 2022 and has scored 162 goals in all competitions, helping the club win two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, an EFL Cup and the Champions League. In January 2025, he signed a 9-and-a-half-year contract extension that ties him to City until the summer of 2034.
City regard Haaland as central to their long-term plans and were quick to rebut Riquelme’s claims. More significantly, they have signalled that legal action may follow. While the UK does not recognise a standalone, codified right to privacy or image rights, protection in this area exists through a patchwork of legal doctrines. As image-rights disputes continue to evolve, City may have several potential causes of action available to them.
One possible route would be a false endorsement claim in passing off. The tort has developed to address situations in which a celebrity’s name, image or likeness is used to suggest endorsement of goods or services where none exists. In the leading case of Edmund Irvine & Tidswell Ltd v Talksport Ltd [2002], the court confirmed that passing off can extend to false endorsement. To succeed, a claimant would need to establish goodwill, misrepresentation and resulting damage.
Whether Manchester City ultimately pursue legal action remains to be seen, but Riquelme’s intervention has already pushed an election stunt into legally sensitive territory.
The election is due to take place on Sunday the 7th of June 2026, when Real Madrid’s members will choose between the two leading candidates. What began as campaign theatre may yet prove significant not only for the race itself, but also for the continuing development of image-rights law.
Céline Jones is a Partner in our commercial disputes team. Céline has over 20 years’ experience in cross-border litigation.... Read More
James is a Solicitor in our Commercial Disputes team. James studied his LLB at Swansea University.... Read More
Samuel is a Trainee Solicitor in our Commercial Disputes team. Samuel studied LLB Law at the University of Bristol.... Read More
