'Accepted with great excitement': Nadal's journey from Real Madrid fan to boardroom

Rafael Nadal (Pic credit: Nadal's X post)

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal is set to take his association with his beloved Real Madrid to a new level, with the Spanish football club offering him a place on its Board of Directors on Wednesday.The 22-time Grand Slam champion has accepted the proposal, which will now be submitted to the General Assembly of Delegate Members for ratification.

Real Madrid's board agreed to put forward his appointment at its meeting on November 4.

Nadal, who is already an honorary member of the club, is registered as member number 67,778.

The former world No. 1 expressed his gratitude to club president Florentino Pérez and the board, describing the opportunity as a source of great excitement.“I want to thank President Florentino Pérez and the Board for proposing that I join the Board of Directors of Real Madrid.

I have accepted this proposal with great excitement, a desire to learn, and a willingness to contribute everything I can,” Nadal wrote on social media, alongside a photograph of himself wearing a Real Madrid kit as a child.For the Spaniard, the appointment marks another chapter in a lifelong association with the 15-time European champions. His support for Madrid has been well known, even though his uncle Miguel Ángel Nadal represented arch-rivals Barcelona.

Real Madrid hail Nadal's sporting and personal values

Real Madrid described Nadal's inclusion in its boardroom as an honour, highlighting not just his achievements on the tennis court but also the qualities he displayed throughout his career.“For Real Madrid and for all madridistas, it is an immense honor that a figure of his sporting and human stature, a reference in Spanish and global sports, joins our board of directors and contributes, from this role, to the present and future of our club,” the club said in its statement.Madrid also highlighted Nadal's 92 tour-level singles titles, two Olympic gold medals, five Davis Cup triumphs with Spain and his time at the top of the world rankings. The club said his humility, respect for opponents and commitment to charity reflected its own identity.“All these values form part of Real Madrid's identity, and Rafael Nadal has embodied and championed them throughout his sporting career,” the statement added.

Life after tennis, but no slowing down

Nadal retired from professional tennis in November 2024 after a career spanning more than two decades, during which he won a record 14 French Open titles alongside four US Open, two Wimbledon and two Australian Open crowns.

However, retirement has not meant staying away from public engagements. In an interview with The Associated Press this week, Nadal spoke about fatherhood, plans involving former rival Roger Federer and an upcoming exhibition in Las Vegas.“I am traveling, I am doing stuff, I have events,” he said, explaining why he is rarely at home even after stepping away from professional tennis.His proposed appointment at Real Madrid now offers the lifelong supporter an opportunity to contribute to the club beyond the stands.