Rafael Nadal joins Real Madrid board of directors after tennis retirement

Real Madrid have appointed Rafael Nadal to their board of directors, with the club’s board agreeing the move on Wednesday. The appointment must still be ratified by the general assembly of delegate members before it is formally confirmed.

Nadal retired from professional tennis in 2024 after a career that yielded 92 individual titles, including 22 grand slam singles titles — 14 of them at the French Open, a record at Roland Garros. He also won two Olympic gold medals and five Davis Cups with Spain.

In a statement, Real Madrid described Nadal as “one of the greatest legends in the history of sport and one of the most admired and recognised Spanish athletes in the world”, adding that it was “a great pride” for the club that someone of his “sporting and human dimension” would now contribute to “the present and future of our club”.

The club’s statement also highlighted the values Nadal embodies — “his talent, his spirit of permanent improvement, his capacity for sacrifice, his competitiveness, his humility, his respect for rivals” — as qualities that align with Real Madrid’s own identity.

Nadal has been a lifelong supporter of the club and has held honorary membership for a number of years, attending matches at the Bernabéu regularly. He was a guest of honour at the 2022 Champions League final in Paris, where Real claimed their 14th European title. His affection for the club has endured despite his uncle, Miguel Angel Nadal, having played for fierce rivals Barcelona.

Responding to the announcement on X, Nadal wrote: “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.”