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When you think of Rafael Nadal, your first thought is probably about tennis’s greatness, with 22 Grand Slam titles, dominance on the clay court and all-time legend status. Off the field, Nadal’s passions extend beyond the field and into the world of football, where he is best known as a Real Madrid fan.
In an interview with former Real Madrid coach Jorge Valdano in Madrid, Nadal discussed the possibility of one day running for president of the club, a role currently held by Florentino Pérez, who has held the position since 2009 during his second stint.
“Right now they have the best man for the job,” Nadal initially responded when asked if he would consider running for Valdano’s job.
“I don’t know…conceptually it must be a wonderful position to be in,” he continued, adding that “if I were to think about it, I should do it when I’m ready. Part of me would like to be in a position where I could think about it, but I don’t know.”
Nadal was awarded honorary membership of Real Madrid in 2011
Since childhood, Nadal has been a Real Madrid fan. He followed the team closely from his home in Mallorca growing up, later becoming a sporting superstar in his own right.
That was despite the fact that Nadal’s uncle, Miguel Ángel Nadal, played for Real Madrid’s arch-rivals FC Barcelona between 1991 and 1999, making 268 appearances.
“My father and the whole family have always been Real Madrid fans, even though I had an uncle who played for FC Barcelona, and of course everyone cheered for him, but then he returned to Mallorca and since then we have been divided: some are still Barcelona fans, while others have never stopped supporting Real Madrid,” he said in an interview about his fandom for the club, as quoted by Rest.
In 2011 he was made an honorary member of the club, a unique privilege as membership is usually only granted to immediate family members of current members.
After his retirement from tennis in 2024 the club gave a statement saying: “Real Madrid CF, its President and its Board of Directors would like to express their admiration and affection for one of the greatest legends of Spanish and world sport of all time.” It further stated that “it is and always will be a source of pride for us and for all Real Madrid fans that a legend like Rafa Nadal represents our club as an honorary member of Real Madrid.”
He also supports RCD Mallorca
Despite being a diehard Real Madrid fan, Nadal is also known for his support of his local team, RCD Mallorca, who also currently compete with Real Madrid in the top flight of Spanish football.
In 2010, he bought shares in the club as they faced financial and economic difficulties, although he sold his joint 10% shareholding with his uncle just 17 months later, according to Reuters.
There is even footage of him celebrating on the pitch at the age of three in 1989, carried by his uncle, when the club were promoted to the first division, as shared by the club and was a crucial part of Nadal’s development of his love for sport away from the tennis court.
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