Nadal Set To Join Real Madrid Board Of Directors

Rafael Nadal is set to become a board member at Real Madrid, with the Spanish club’s members due to vote on his appointment later this month.

The tennis great, 40, retired in 2024 after winning 22 Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals and five Davis Cups with Spain.

Real Madrid said in a statement that Nadal is “one of the greatest legends in the history of sport” and one of Spain’s most admired and recognised athletes. The club added that it was a source of pride that someone of his sporting and personal stature would join its board and help shape its present and future.

Nadal, a lifelong Real Madrid supporter who holds member number 67,778, responded on X by posting a photograph of himself as a child wearing the club’s kit. He thanked president Florentino Perez and the board for proposing him for the role.

He said he had accepted “with great excitement, a desire to learn, and a willingness to contribute everything I can.”

It is not yet clear what specific responsibilities Nadal would have on the board.

Perez was re-elected in June to a new four-year term as president, having held the position since 2009. He subsequently reappointed Jose Mourinho as head coach as the club sought to recover from a second season without success in La Liga, the Champions League or the Copa del Rey.

Real Madrid are currently third in La Liga after 11 matches, three points behind defending champions Barcelona.