Real Madrid have appointed Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, to the club’s board of directors, with the club expressing its pride at the news that the longtime fan had taken the executive role on Wednesday.
Following the announcement, Nadal posted a photo of himself as a child wearing a Real Madrid kit on his X account.
“I want to thank president Florentino Perez and the board who proposed me to be part of the board of directors at Real Madrid,” Nadal wrote in the caption. “I accepted this proposal with great excitement, a desire to learn and contribute everything I can.”
Club pays tribute
Earlier in 2026, Nadal, an honorary member of Real Madrid, had described as “untrue” reports linking him to a possible candidacy for the club’s presidency.
Real Madrid paid homage to the 40-year-old, who retired from professional tennis in 2024, and explained that his values align with those of the club.
“Rafael Nadal, an honorary member of Real Madrid, is one of the greatest legends in the history of sport and one of the most admired and recognised Spanish athletes in the world,” a club spokesperson said.
“For Real Madrid and for all Madrid fans, 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.
“Rafael Nadal has forged a legendary sporting career. But his figure represents much more than his successes: his talent, his constant drive to improve, his capacity for sacrifice, his competitiveness, his humility, his respect for rivals and team-mates, and his commitment to solidarity make him an example both on and off the court.
“All these values are part of Real Madrid’s identity, and Rafael Nadal has represented and defended them throughout his sporting life, becoming a role model for millions of people around the world.”