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Tennis great Rafael Nadal set to join Real Madrid board
Real Madrid plan to appoint Rafael Nadal to their board of directors, subject to ratification by the club’s General Assembly of Delegated Members. The move brings the retired tennis champion into the leadership of a club he has long supported, and follows his existing status as an honorary member.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, said he accepted the invitation with enthusiasm and hopes to contribute. Real cited his 92 singles titles, two Olympic gold medals, five Davis Cup wins and former world number one ranking, as well as personal qualities it says reflect the club’s values. He has been mentioned as a possible successor to president Florentino Perez, but has played down that prospect; Perez won a further four-year term in June.
In short
- Real Madrid plans to appoint Rafael Nadal as a director.
- Club members must ratify the appointment.
- Nadal has played down talk of succeeding Florentino Perez.
Explained simply
Real Madrid is a Spanish football club owned by its members, who elect a president and approve major decisions through representative assemblies. Its board helps oversee the club’s affairs, while president Florentino Pérez leads it.
Rafael Nadal is a retired Spanish tennis player who won 22 Grand Slam singles titles and has long supported Real Madrid. He already holds honorary membership, and the proposed board role would give him a formal part in the club’s leadership.
Nadal has said he hopes to contribute, but has played down suggestions that he might one day lead the club. Any board appointment requires approval from Real Madrid’s Assembly of Delegated Members.