Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal announced his desire to become president of his favorite club, Real Madrid, which he has loved since childhood, after retiring from the yellow ball. Nadal is expected to retire at the end of the 2024 tennis season having struggled with injuries in recent years and appears to already have one eye on the future. He has revealed in an interview on Spanish TV that he would like to become Real Madrid president one day. Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says everyone at Real "totally admires" Nadal and that he is a "real 'Madridista'". Rafael Nadal says he has the ambition to one day be the president of Real Madrid. Back in May, the Spaniard suggested that 2024 could be his last year as a professional tennis player before retiring from the sport.
Current Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has been in his role since 2009 and previously held the position from 2000 to 2006. With Perez now 76, he has reportedly been keeping an eye out for a successor to his role having overseen a drastic renovation of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Could 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal be that person? Nadal, an avid Real Madrid fan and an honorary club member, admits it would be a role that interests him. In a television interview on Movistar+ on Monday, Nadal said: "It’s not something that’s on my mind right now, I promise you that. "Would I like to be? Yes, I think so. "Now at this point, it’s not something I’m thinking about for a number of reasons, we have the best president possible, then you never know in life what you might think now, and what you might think tomorrow." To run for president of Real Madrid, you have to hold Spanish nationality, be a member of the club for 20 years, and be able to personally guarantee 15% of the club's annual budget. Nadal admits he may not be able to meet the current criteria at the moment. He added: “I am quite realistic with myself, I know my limitations, and I’m not sure if I would be capable. Time will tell.” Ahead of Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League opener against Union Berlin on Wednesday evening, head coach Carlo Ancelotti was asked about the possibility of Nadal one day becoming president. The Italian says the Liga club "totally admires" Nadal. "During my time here we've had a president who is Florentino and he's doing a fantastic job," the 64-year-old told reporters. "I can't think of a better president. We're very proud that Nadal, who we totally admire, is a real 'Madridista'." Nadal has not played tennis competitively since the 2023 Australian Open in January due to a long-term hip injury.