Rafael Nadal accepts Real Madrid board proposal pending members' approval

Rafael Nadal has accepted a proposal to join Real Madrid's board of directors, with club members due to consider his appointment later in November, BBC Sport reported on Wednesday. The 40-year-old's acceptance does not complete the process: the proposal still requires members' approval, and the responsibilities he would take on have not been made clear.

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Nadal thanked president Florentino Perez and the existing board in a post on X. He expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, a readiness to learn and a wish to contribute. His response included a childhood photograph of himself wearing a Real Madrid kit, reflecting his longstanding support for the club.

Madrid's statement praised Nadal's standing in Spanish and international sport and said the club would be proud to have him contributing to its present and future through a board position. According to the BBC, Perez secured another four-year presidential term in June, having held the office continuously since 2009.

The proposed appointment follows Nadal's public comments about Madrid's leadership earlier this year. In May, AS reported that he had rejected suggestions that his business relationship with Enrique Riquelme amounted to support for a presidential candidate. Speaking at the reopening of his museum in Manacor, Nadal described a good relationship with Riquelme while also expressing respect for Perez and his contribution to the club.

At that same event, Nadal backed the principle of allowing members to decide whether the existing leadership should continue. AS reported that he acknowledged mistakes during Madrid's difficult season, but argued that criticism should also take account of the club's successes under Perez. He declined to take sides when asked about Riquelme as a possible alternative, distinguishing Perez's established record from a prospective new project.

The museum appearance also offered a clear account of Nadal's sporting future. The winner of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, who retired at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, said his professional tennis career was finished. AS reported that he described physical limitations as decisive and said his museum was intended to encourage young people to take up sport.