Florentino Perez angered by Enrique Riquelme’s presence at Madrid derby

Florentino Perez was reportedly furious to see Enrique Riquelme in Atletico Madrid’s presidential box during the derby against Real Madrid, according to Spanish journalist Paco Gonzalez.

The match at the Metropolitano was marked by tension both on and off the pitch, with Riquelme’s attendance becoming one of the main talking points in the directors’ area.

Gonzalez said on the Tiempo de Juego programme on Cadena COPE, in comments reported by Sport, that Perez did not understand why Riquelme had been invited to Atletico’s presidential box. The Real Madrid president was said to have reacted with considerable anger when he noticed the businessman among the club’s guests.

Riquelme’s appearance carried particular significance because he had been the only candidate to stand against Perez in Real Madrid’s presidential election three months earlier. He ran an intensive campaign and presented an alternative plan for the future management of the club before Perez secured victory. Riquelme subsequently acknowledged his rival’s win.

During that campaign, Riquelme had strongly criticised some of Perez’s decisions and argued for a different direction at Real Madrid. He also said that Rodri and Erling Haaland would play for the club if he became president, while proposing Raul Gonzalez for the role of sporting director.

That background gave his presence at an Atletico home match against Real Madrid added significance. According to Gonzalez’s account, it also contributed to Perez’s anger, independently of the result on the pitch.

The outcome made the evening even more difficult for the Real Madrid president, with Atletico claiming a 2-1 victory. Grimaldo and Jonathan David scored Atletico’s goals, while Antonio Rudiger reduced the deficit late in the game.

Real Madrid’s frustration was not limited to the defeat. The club was also deeply unhappy with the performance of referee Ortiz Arias, with several decisions during the match prompting controversy.

The derby therefore produced tension in the stands as well as on the field, with the presence of Perez’s recent presidential election rival adding another layer to an already charged occasion.