Rafael Nadal, the tennis legend and a passionate fan of Real Madrid, has expressed his desire to become the president of the club in the future. However, he acknowledges that he may not meet the necessary criteria for the position. Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, played his last tennis match at the Australian Open in January of 2023 and has been sidelined ever since due to a hip injury. He plans to retire from the sport in 2024.
Florentino Pérez, who has been the president of Real Madrid since 2009 and previously held the position from 2000 to 2006, currently serves as the club’s president. When asked about the possibility of succeeding Pérez, Nadal told Movistar in an interview, “Would I like to be [president]? I think so. I think I’d like to. But there are a lot of things. Right now there’s nothing to say because we have the best possible president [Perez].”
However, Nadal also acknowledges the uncertainty of the future and the possibility that his opinion may change. He says, “What I think today, I might not think tomorrow. There are lots of twists and turns in life. You have to know if you’re qualified to do this kind of thing. I’m quite realistic. I know my limitations. I don’t know if I’d be capable or not. Time will tell.”
Nadal clarifies that he has not discussed his aspirations with Pérez and believes that the media may be exaggerating the situation. He also acknowledges that he may not fulfill the requirements to become the president of Real Madrid. The club’s statutes demand that a candidate must have been a member for 20 years, be able to personally guarantee 15% of the club’s annual budget, and hold Spanish nationality.
Despite not meeting the criteria, Nadal has been an honorary member of Real Madrid since 2011. Since Pérez’s return to power in 2009 after the troubled presidency of Ramon Calderon, he has been reelected unopposed in 2013, 2017, and 2021.
Currently, Real Madrid is at the top of the LaLiga table with five wins out of five matches. Nadal acknowledges their strong start but emphasizes that it is still early in the season. He mentions important injuries to players like Thibaut Courtois, Éder Militao, and Vinicius Junior. Nadal also praises the signing of Jude Bellingham, describing it as spectacular.
When asked about Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé, whom Real Madrid has pursued over the past three seasons, Nadal expresses his enthusiasm for the player’s potential arrival. He says, “Another forward would be good. Am I [waiting for Kylian Mbappé]? Yes, I am. I don’t have any problem with Mbappé, quite the opposite. I’d be happy if he came… He didn’t have the obligation to come to Madrid when we, the fans, wanted him to.”
It is clear that Nadal’s love for Real Madrid runs deep, and his aspiration to become the club’s president reflects his dedication to the team. Whether or not he ultimately fulfills this dream remains uncertain, but Nadal’s sportsmanship and commitment to his passions are undeniable. As he approaches the end of his tennis career, his involvement with Real Madrid may take on new forms, and only time will tell what the future holds for this tennis legend and his beloved club.
