Real Madrid have appointed retired tennis great Rafael Nadal to the club’s board of directors, with the club welcoming the 22-time Grand Slam champion into the executive role on Wednesday.
The club expressed its pride at the news that Nadal, a longtime Real Madrid fan, will take up the position. 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
Nadal, an honorary member of Real Madrid, had earlier in 2026 denied reports linking him to a possible candidacy for the club’s presidency, calling them “untrue.” Real Madrid paid tribute to the 40-year-old, who retired from professional tennis in 2024, and said 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.
The spokesperson added: “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.”
The club also praised Nadal’s character beyond his achievements. “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,” the spokesperson said.