The result was confirmed shortly after midnight at the Eurobuilding hotel.
A total of 33,555 votes were cast in an election that produced a turnout of under 40 per cent of the club's eligible membership. Riquelme received 11,814 votes — 35 per cent — a share considered higher than the most pessimistic pre-election forecasts, which underlined the scale of the opposition movement Riquelme's aggressive campaign managed to build.
Pérez received the result in the Salón Madrid at the Eurobuilding hotel, a few hundred metres from the Bernabéu. He was greeted to the anthem of the Décima and chants of "presidente, presidente." The evening opened with a short video message from José Mourinho — his incoming head coach — who answered a simple question.
"Sí, por supuesto," Mourinho said in response to whether Florentino had won.
Pérez addressed the room with his characteristic mixture of solemnity and ambition.
"This has been a great day for Madrid. Thank you for your support, affection and strength to win this election. We have won at every polling table — in every age group. And we have obtained the second best result in the history of Real Madrid elections — the first was also ours in 2004."
He acknowledged the 1,000 postal votes annulled by the Electoral Board — a decision he intends to challenge — before moving to the themes of unity, ambition and continuity.
"We have given the world an example of democracy and coexistence. We are a great family. As president I am proud — it has been a brilliant day."
His tribute to Mourinho was the line that drew the loudest applause.
"Here I am to defend Madrid, to keep winning titles, to be proud of the Bernabéu, proud of having the best players and the best manager — a madridista like Mourinho."
He closed with a message to those who voted against him.
"I want to address those members who did not vote for me. I will do everything possible to address their concerns. We will strengthen our work so that everyone knows we have the sensitivity to listen to their problems. We will be closer to them than ever — because we are all Real Madrid."