Haaland, Riquelme and a war of statements that smells like court

Published on June 06, 2026 | Translated from Spanish

Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has promised to sign Erling Haaland if he wins the elections. Manchester City has not been slow to respond: direct legal action. The English club denies any possibility of the Norwegian striker leaving, as he is tied until 2034.

three-dimensional courtroom hologram display, football transfer contract document being torn in half by a robotic hand, Manchester City skyline visible through window, Haaland silhouette in blue jersey fading into digital code, Riquelme figure in suit pointing at legal papers, while a gavel strikes a glowing blockchain ledger, cinematic photorealistic style, dramatic shadows, blue and gold lighting, ultra-detailed textures, legal symbols floating mid-air, high-contrast technical illustration

The shield system: how a long-term contract blocks any offer 🛡️

Manchester City has designed a contract that makes Haaland an almost immovable asset. With a duration until 2034, the agreement includes automatic renewal clauses and high penalties for any buyer. The club uses a financial planning model that protects its investment, preventing electoral promises from altering its sporting structure. The strategy is clear: deter through deadlines and costs.

Riquelme's promise: a plan that crashes against City's calculator 💥

Riquelme promises Haaland as if he were a supermarket bargain, but City reminds him that the Norwegian has a contract until his children are teenagers. The candidate's move seems more fitting for a video game than reality: it might work on FIFA, but in Manchester's courts, things are different. Someone should tell him that electoral promises and a 200 million release clause don't mix well.