Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme says he would like to see Barcelona in the Segunda Division and would have no problem with the Catalan club disappearing altogether.Riquelme will stand against Florentino Perez in Sundays elections and has been omnipresent on radio and TV in Spain this week as he builds his case for taking over the top job at the Santiago Bernabeu.He has already announced he would install the clubs former striker Raul as sporting director and claims to have a raft of big-name players lined up should he be victorious.Speaking to Jordi Wild on the Wild Project, he also took aim at Madrids arch rivals from Camp Nou.He said: I want to see Barcelona in the Segunda [Division]. I would love to. I wouldnt have any problem with that and I would be happy. And its not a lack of respect.I would also like Barcelona to disappear. I wouldnt have any problem.Barcelona are part of the history of football but I want Real Madrid to win, and only Madrid. What others doI would not have helped Barcelona, insists Real Madrid hopefulWhen Barcelona were going through their well-publicised financial problems at the start of the decade, the club brokered a deal with Key Capital that saw them sell a share of their future TV income to Sixth Street.Key Capital have close links to Perez and one of the companys partners Anas Laghrari is his right-hand man and reportedly a hugely influential figure behind the scenes at the capital club.Riquelme says he does not understand why anyone from Madrid would help Barcelona and also made a reference to the ongoing Negreira case in which Barca made payments to Jose Maria Negreira, the former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees.Barca deny any wrongdoing and insist they hired Negreira as an external consultant to provide technical reports on refereeing.Riquelme added: I can assure you that not only would I not have helped, but that I would not have reached out.It is a healthy competition, but if you have competed in a way in which you have used the money to pay the vice president of the referees Topics FC Barcelona Real Madrid CF Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Real Madrid reveal new home shirt with controversial twist Jon Fisher 3rd June, 2026 Real Madrid snap up Dumfries in 20m deal after reaching verbal agreement with Konate Nicholas McGee 2nd June, 2026 Benfica on verge of naming Marco Silva as Jose Mourinhos replacement in major blow for Fulham Jon Fisher 2nd June, 2026 Spain boss De la Fuente takes sly dig at Mourinho over Real Madrid job: Its important to value the Spanish coach Jon Fisher 1st June, 2026 How long is Lamine Yamal out? Latest news, injury update and Barcelona and Spain wingers reaction to hamstring problem before 2026 FIFA World Cup Ben Miller 1st June, 2026 Manchester City star Rodri refuses to rule out Real Madrid move: Well see after the World Cup Jon Fisher 1st June, 2026
