Erling Haaland to Real Madrid: Official statement released after signing announced

Updated: 4 Jun 2026 06:24 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Erling Haaland’s representatives have categorically denied Enrique Riquelme’s announcement that he will join Real Madrid this summer if the 37-year-old wins the presidential election against Florentino Perez.

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Riquelme, a renewable energy entrepreneur, is the first opponent that has challenged long-standing president Perez since 2004 and he has made several huge claims in a bid to win over Los Blancos members ahead of the election on Sunday.

Current ETV

Erling Haaland

F (C)

Man City

Erling Haaland

F (C)

Man City

ETV Range

€125M - €152.7M

In an appearance on popular Spanish TV show El Hormiguero on Wednesday, Riquelme said: “Erling Haaland and Rodri will be my star signings if I become president.

“If I break my promises regarding either of these players, I've signed a guarantee where I'd pay 100% of membership costs for next season. Haaland has a release clause, and he wants to come to Madrid.”

Riquelme then held up a Real Madrid shirt with ‘Haaland 9’ on the back to signal his intent to bring the Norway superstar to the Bernabeu during the upcoming summer transfer window if he beats Perez in the election and becomes Los Blancos president.

However, this sensational claim has been shut down by Haaland’s camp. A joint statement released by Rafaela Pimenta - the Man City star’s agent - and his father Alf-Inge, read: “All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Madrid elections.”

Haaland scored 38 goals across all competitions for Man City last season and despite the departure of legendary manager Pep Guardiola, he looks set to remain at the Etihad Stadium for the foreseeable future. His current deal at the club isn’t due to expire until 2034 after he signed a lucrative contract extension last January.

Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid in doubt?

Jose Mourinho is set to become the new Real Madrid manager ahead of the 2026-27 season, with a full agreement reached, and the club have already finalised deals for his first two signings - Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate.

However, Riquelme has insisted that Mourinho will not return to the Bernabeu if he beats Perez in the presidential election.

“He’s a good manager, but the profile for our project is of a totally different style,” he added on El Hormiguero.

“I don’t like Mourinho for my project, I’ve got another manager [lined up]. I can’t tell you the name, but I will on Friday or Saturday. Give me a couple more days.”

Back in May, it was reported that Riquelme had held several meetings with former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and it's understood that he would be the primary target to become the next Real Madrid manager if Perez loses the election.

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