Official: Rafael Nadal joins Real Madrid

Spanish legend becomes part of Los Blancos' board

Europe Today at 10:05

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Official: Rafael Nadal joins Real Madrid

Rafael Nadal has been a passionate Real Madrid supporter since childhood.

The former tennis player, who holds the record for the most French Open titles with 14 victories in Paris, is set to take his passion for the club to an even greater level. Real Madrid announced in an official statement that their illustrious supporter is joining the club's board of directors.

"The Real Madrid CF Board of Directors, which met this Wednesday, 4 November, has decided to submit to the General Assembly of Representative Members the ratification of the appointment of Rafael Nadal Parera, member number 67,778 of our club, as a new member of the Board of Directors.

Comunicado Oficial: Rafael Nadal. https://t.co/bKSDerO3h0
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) November 4, 2026

"Rafael Nadal, an honorary member of Real Madrid, is one of the greatest legends in the history of sport and one of the most admired and recognised Spanish athletes in the world. For Real Madrid and all Madridistas, it is a great source of pride that a figure of his sporting and personal stature, a leading figure in Spanish and world sport, should join our Board of Directors and contribute to the present and future of our club from this position of responsibility," the statement read.

Rafael Nadal reacts

Having retired from tennis in 2024, Rafael Nadal, 40, has fulfilled one of his dreams as a Real Madrid supporter by joining the board of directors at the Casa Blanca. Appointed by club president Florentino Pérez, the French Open icon was quick to react to his appointment.

"I would like to thank president Florentino Pérez and the Board of Directors for offering me the opportunity to join Real Madrid's Board of Directors. I accepted this proposal with great enthusiasm, eager to learn and to contribute as much as possible," the former tennis player wrote on his social media accounts.

Quiero agradecer al presidente Florentino Pérez y a la Junta que me hayan propuesto formar parte de la Junta Directiva del @realmadrid. He aceptado esta propuesta con mucha ilusión, ganas de aprender y aportar todo lo que pueda. 🤍🤍🤍 https://t.co/cFBQnUVW6j
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) November 4, 2026

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Joshua SOSSOU

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As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.