Manchester City considers legal action over Real Madrid presidential candidate’s Haaland pledge
Enrique Riquelme’s television campaign promises trigger formal response from Manchester City and the player’s representatives ahead of Sunday’s vote.
Manchester City is evaluating legal proceedings against Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme following public assertions that the club’s striker Erling Haaland would join the Spanish side if Riquelme wins the upcoming election. The dispute centres on a television appearance on Wednesday, where Riquelme, a renewable energy entrepreneur challenging incumbent Florentino Perez, held up a Real Madrid shirt bearing Haaland’s name.
A Manchester City spokesperson addressed the matter on Thursday, stating that reports regarding the player’s future were untrue and that no contractual clause permitted such a transfer. The club confirmed it was reviewing the use of Haaland’s image in this context and considering legal action. Haaland’s father, Alfie Haaland, and his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, issued a joint statement rejecting the suggestion as not true.
Riquelme claimed during the broadcast that Haaland possessed a release clause and desired a move to Madrid, pledging to make the transfer a priority if elected. The candidate also stated he had spoken to the agent of Manchester City midfielder Rodri and would do everything possible to sign the Ballon d’Or winner.
The incident occurs ahead of Real Madrid’s presidential election on Sunday, marking the first time in two decades that Perez faces opposition. Approximately 100,000 club members are eligible to vote. Haaland, who signed a nine-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester City in January 2025, scored 38 goals in all competitions last season and won the Premier League Golden Boot for the third time in four seasons.
While Perez announced on Wednesday that he would seek to bring Benfica manager Jose Mourinho back to Real Madrid for a second term if re-elected, the focus remains on the contractual and reputational implications of Riquelme’s campaign promises. Haaland had the option to join Real Madrid in 2022 when leaving Borussia Dortmund but chose Manchester City, where his father previously played.
