Spanish football giants Real Madrid are preparing to appoint tennis legend Rafael Nadal to the club's board of directors, with members set to vote on the proposal at a gathering scheduled for later this month. The 40-year-old, who concluded his illustrious playing career upon retiring in 2024, has been formally put forward to take up a seat among the hierarchy of the club he supported as a boy.
Nadal brings an exceptional sporting pedigree to the boardroom, having captured 22 Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals, and five Davis Cup crowns representing Spain. In a statement confirming the move, Real Madrid hailed him as "one of the greatest legends in the history of sport and one of the most admired and recognised Spanish athletes in the world," adding: "It is a great source of pride that a figure of his sporting and human stature, a benchmark of Spanish and world sport, will become part of our board of directors and contribute, from this position of responsibility, to the present and future of our club."
Reacting to the news on X, Nadal—who has made several appearances on the pitch during Real matches and is registered as member number 67,778—shared a photo of himself wearing the team's kit during his childhood. "I want to thank president Florentino Perez and the board for proposing that I join the board of directors of Real Madrid," Nadal said. "I have accepted this proposal with great excitement, a desire to learn, and a willingness to contribute everything I can." While his appointment is poised for approval, his exact board responsibilities have yet to be outlined.
The move comes as Real Madrid seek to revitalise their fortunes under president Florentino Perez, who has led the club since 2009 and earned re-election to a four-year term in June. After completing a second consecutive campaign without claiming La Liga, the Champions League, or the Copa del Rey, Perez recently brought in Jose Mourinho for a second stint as head coach. Real currently sit third in the Spanish top flight after 11 fixtures, trailing three points behind defending champions Barcelona.