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Rafael Nadal to Join Real Madrid Board
Confirmed
In Short: Real Madrid plans to appoint tennis star Rafael Nadal to their board of directors, pending member approval.
Real Madrid announced on Wednesday that they plan to appoint retired tennis superstar Rafael Nadal to their board of directors.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, has been an honorary club member since 2011 and shares a strong relationship with Madrid president Florentino Perez.
The club's socios, or members, are expected to ratify Nadal's appointment at the club's general assembly on November 21.
Nadal expressed his excitement about the move, stating, "I have accepted this proposal with great excitement, I'm eager to learn and to contribute everything I can."
Real Madrid highlighted Nadal's sporting achievements, including 92 tour singles titles, two Olympic gold medals, and five Davis Cup triumphs with Spain.
The club also emphasized Nadal's qualities beyond his sporting achievements, such as humility, respect for opponents, and commitment to charity.
Nadal's appointment was agreed upon at a club board meeting on Wednesday and will be put to members for ratification.
Nadal, who retired from professional tennis in November 2024, has long been seen as a potential successor to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, although he has played down the prospect.
Nadal's appointment is expected to contribute to the club's present and future, reflecting Real Madrid's identity and values.
What's confirmed
- Real Madrid plan to appoint retired tennis superstar Rafael Nadal to their board of directors, the club said on Wednesday.
- Real Madrid's socios -- members -- are expected to ratify Nadal's appointment at the club's general assembly on November 21.
- Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, has been an honorary club member since 2011 and shares a strong relationship with Madrid president Florentino Perez.
- "I have accepted this proposal with great excitement, I'm eager to learn and to contribute everything I can." Nadal, 40, won a record 14 French Open singles titles in a glittering career.
- “It is a source of immense pride for Real Madrid and for all our supporters that a figure of his sporting and personal stature … is to join our Board of Directors,” Real said in a statement on Wednesday.
- Perez, 79, secured another four-year term in June after Real’s first contested presidential election in two decades.
- In a statement announcing the move, external, the club said Nadal was "one of the greatest legends in the history of sport and one of the most admired and recognised Spanish athletes in the world".
- Spanish tennis legend and 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal is preparing to officially join Real Madrid’s board of directors.
- "I want to thank president Florentino Perez and the board for proposing that I join the board of directors of Real Madrid," wrote Nadal on social media platform X.
- Nadal has won 92 individual titles in his career, including 22 Grand Slams, two Olympic gold medals and five Davis Cup titles with Spain.
- Nadal, who retired from professional tennis in November 2024, has been a lifelong Real Madrid supporter and is already an honorary member of the club, holding membership number 67,778.
- New Delhi: Spanish club Real Madrid announced on Wednesday that the appointment of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal as a director will be put to its members for ratification.
What's still developing
- Real are currently third in the league after 11 games - three points behind defending champions Barcelona.
- In 2023 Nadal said one day he would like to be Madrid president, but did not know if he was qualified for the post.
- “For Real Madrid and for all madridistas, it is an immense honor that a figure of his sporting and human stature, a reference in Spanish and global sports, joins our Board of Directors and contributes, from this role, to the present and future of our club,” the statement added.
- Following the announcement, Nadal published a photo of himself as a child wearing a Real Madrid kit on his X account.
- Nadal was a guest of honour at the 2022 Champions League final in Paris, when Real won their 14th Champions League title.