Rafael Nadal may have stepped away from professional tennis, but the 22-time Grand Slam champion isn’t done making headlines. After swapping his racket for a football, the Spanish icon could be gearing up for an entirely different challenge—joining Real Madrid’s leadership.
A lifelong Los Blancos supporter, Nadal has never shied away from his dream of taking on a role at the club, and his uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, believes it’s only a matter of time before it happens.
💬 “I imagine that if he is offered the position of director of Madrid, he would be delighted,” Toni told El Larguero.
The idea of Nadal moving into football isn’t just speculation. In 2023, the Spaniard openly hinted at his desire to succeed Florentino Pérez as Real Madrid’s president, telling Movistar:
💬 “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.”
Could Nadal Actually Become Real Madrid’s President?
While Nadal’s love for the club is undeniable, there are major hurdles if he wants to sit at the top of Real Madrid’s hierarchy:
📌 Spanish nationality – ✅ Nadal qualifies.
📌 20 years as a club member – ❌ It’s unclear if he has held membership long enough.
📌 Financial backing – ❌ The biggest challenge: candidates must secure a bank guarantee worth 15% of the club’s budget (around €150 million).
Nadal himself admitted that fulfilling these requirements could be tricky:
💬 “I don’t think I fulfil the requirements. What I think today, I might not think tomorrow. There are lots of twists and turns in life.”
Still, with his status, connections, and massive personal wealth, there’s no doubt that he could pull together the necessary backing if he truly pursued the role.
Real Madrid’s Love for Nadal: More Than Just a Fan
Nadal’s bond with Real Madrid runs deep, and the club has long recognized his devotion:
⚽ Attended iconic matches, including the 2022 Champions League final 🏆
⚽ Woke up at ungodly hours during Grand Slams just to watch Madrid play 🔥
⚽ Received an official tribute from the club when he announced his retirement last year 👏
Madrid has a history of bringing in high-profile figures with deep ties to the club, and if he’s serious, Nadal could very well be a future presidential candidate.
What’s Next for Nadal?
For now, the former World No. 1 is focused on his other post-tennis ventures:
💰 Sold a 44.9% stake in his Rafa Nadal Academy, netting £70 million 🏫
💰 Signed as a Saudi Tennis Ambassador, making waves at the Next Gen Finals 🏟️
💰 Exploring football opportunities, but keeping his options open
If Nadal ever does take on a leadership role at Real Madrid, it would be one of the most fascinating transitions in sports history. From ruling the courts to ruling the boardroom—could we see “President Nadal” in the future? 👀
