Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal is set to take up a position on Real Madrid's Board of Directors after the La Liga giants announced his formal appointment on Wednesday. The 40-year-old, who retired from professional tennis in 2024, will see his new role submitted for ratification at the club's upcoming General Assembly of Delegate Members on November 21.
Real Madrid confirmed that the proposal has been agreed upon by the board led by president Florentino Perez, bringing one of Spain's most decorated athletes into the club's administrative hierarchy. Nadal has maintained a long-standing association with the capital club and has been an honorary member since 2011.
In an official statement released by the club, Real paid tribute to the 22-time Grand Slam winner, highlighting his global status and sporting stature. The club emphasized that adding a figure of his experience to the board would provide significant value to the present and future direction of the institution.
The club spokesperson said that Nadal represents much more than his phenomenal tennis success, citing his humility, competitiveness, and dedication as core values shared by Real Madrid. The statement added that his leadership and commitment to excellence would help shape the club's global development projects and institutional image.
Nadal, a noted lifelong supporter of the club, previously addressed speculation surrounding his potential interest in running for the Real Madrid presidency, dismissing earlier media reports as untrue. His new executive responsibility focuses on contributing strategic vision and elite sporting experience to the governing body rather than political ambitions.
The appointment marks a notable transition for the Balearic Islander, who secured 92 tour singles titles, two Olympic gold medals, and five Davis Cup triumphs during a legendary career spanning over two decades. His record 14 French Open titles remain among the most enduring achievements in tennis history.
Real Madrid currently sit third in the La Liga standings with 27 points collected from their opening 11 matches of the 2026-27 campaign. The team remains firmly in contention at the summit of the domestic table, trailing league leaders Barcelona by three points and second-placed Atletico Madrid by a single point.
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