Man City weigh legal response to Real Madrid's Haaland election pledge in 2026

Manchester City are reviewing potential legal steps after a Real Madrid presidential candidate falsely claimed Erling Haaland could join the club.

Real Madrid's election claim A candidate running for Real Madrid president aired a promotional segment suggesting Erling Haaland is available to sign. During a television broadcast on Wednesday, the hopeful displayed a jersey with Haaland's name and stated, 'He has a release clause and would like to join Real Madrid.' The comment came from Enrique Riquelme, a renewable energy entrepreneur challenging current president Florentino Perez. Riquelme framed the appearance as proof of Haaland's interest in moving to the Spanish giants. ## Denial from Haaland's side Haaland's father and agent issued an immediate rebuttal to the claim made by the Real Madrid hopeful. In a joint statement, they declared the reports about Haaland's future were completely unfounded. The statement emphasized there is no possibility of the move happening and no contractual clause permitting it. They also warned they are exploring legal avenues due to the unauthorized use of Haaland's image in the election stunt. ## City's firm stance Manchester City swiftly dismissed the election-time assertion regarding Haaland's availability. A club spokesperson confirmed through a written response that the circulating narratives about Haaland leaving were entirely incorrect. The statement reiterated that Haaland remains under contract and there are no mechanisms for a transfer at this stage. City added that they are assessing all options to protect their player's rights following the incident. ## Haaland's international record Erling Haaland has established himself as a key figure for Norway, scoring 55 goals in 49 appearances for his national team. His prolific scoring rate has drawn global attention and made him one of Europe's most sought-after strikers. Despite interest from multiple top clubs, Haaland remains contracted to Manchester City. The Norwegian striker continues to feature regularly for both club and country.