Nov 5, 5:01 AM
Real Madrid Nominates Rafael Nadal for Executive Board Role
Club members will vote later this month on appointing the 22-time Grand Slam champion to the board of directors.
Spanish football club Real Madrid has nominated former tennis world number one Rafael Nadal to its board of directors. The proposal, initiated by club president Florentino Perez, will be submitted to general assembly members for formal approval at a meeting scheduled for later this month.
Nadal, who retired from professional tennis in 2024, has maintained a long-standing personal link with the Spanish giants. The 40-year-old holds club membership number 67,778 and supported Real Madrid throughout his childhood. Following the announcement, Nadal stated on social media that he had accepted the nomination with great excitement and a willingness to learn and contribute to the organisation.
In an official statement, Real Madrid highlighted the significance of the former athlete joining the management team. The club described Nadal as one of the greatest legends in the history of sport and one of the most admired and recognised Spanish athletes in the world. The management added that his presence on the board would contribute to both the immediate and long-term future of the institution, although specific operational responsibilities within the executive body have not yet been detailed.
The sporting record of the Mallorcan athlete includes 22 Grand Slam singles titles, two Olympic gold medals, and five Davis Cup victories with the Spanish national team. His transition toward sports management follows a competitive career that spanned over two decades before his formal retirement.
The board nomination comes during a period of organizational and athletic adjustments at the Madrid club. Florentino Perez, who has led Real Madrid continuously since 2009, secured a new four-year mandate as president in June. Following his re-election, Perez re-appointed Jose Mourinho as head coach to replace the executive management's technical staff after the team concluded two consecutive seasons without winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, or the UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid currently occupies third place in the La Liga standings after eleven matches played in the domestic season, trailing league leaders and defending champions Barcelona by three points. The decision on Nadal's board position will be finalized once club delegates cast their votes during the upcoming general assembly.
Written by Andreas Hofer andreas.hofer@alpineweekly.com
