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Real Madrid confirmed on Wednesday that tennis icon Rafael Nadal is poised to become the club's 20th board member, pending approval from the club's general assembly of members.
Nadal, an honorary Real Madrid member since 2011, is now set to become Pérez's newest high-profile addition to the board, with his appointment expected to be formally confirmed at Madrid's upcoming general assembly on Nov. 21.
"The Board of Directors of Real Madrid C. F., convening today, Wednesday, Nov. 4, has agreed to present to the General Assembly of Delegate 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," Real Madrid stated in an official release.
"For Real Madrid and for all madridistas, it is a tremendous honor that a figure of his sporting and personal stature, a symbol of Spanish and world sport, joins our Board of Directors and contributes, from this position, to the present and future of our club.
"His character represents far more than his accomplishments," the statement went on. "His talent, his relentless pursuit of improvement, his capacity for sacrifice, his competitive spirit, his humility, his respect for opponents and teammates, and his generosity make him an inspiration both on and off the court.
"All these values are woven into Real Madrid's identity, and Rafael Nadal has embodied and championed them throughout his sporting career, becoming a role model for millions of people across the globe."
Nadal Accepts New Role in Real Madrid's Board of Directors
Nadal stepped away from professional tennis in 2024 after assembling one of the most remarkable careers in Spanish sporting history.
"With his extraordinary record, featuring 92 individual titles, including 22 Grand Slams, 2 Olympic gold medals, 5 Davis Cups with Spain, and the world number 1 ranking, Rafael Nadal has forged a legendary sporting legacy," Madrid's statement read.
Yet even before he conquered tennis courts around the globe for more than two decades, Nadal was already a devoted Real Madrid fan. The lifelong supporter has grown into a celebrated 40-year-old sportsman, and he took to social media to confirm he had accepted the invitation to join Los Blancos' board.
"I want to express my gratitude to president Florentino Pérez and the board for inviting me to join the board of directors of Real Madrid," Nadal wrote. "I have accepted this proposal with tremendous enthusiasm, a desire to learn, and a commitment to contributing everything I can."
What Will Nadal's Role at Real Madrid Be?
Back in 2023, Nadal told The Athletic he harbored ambitions of one day becoming Real Madrid president. However, when Pérez announced presidential elections in May, Nadal was quick to rule out any possibility of entering the race.
Many now see Nadal's appointment to Madrid's board as a stepping stone toward a potential future presidency. But in the hours following Los Blancos' official announcement, The Athletic's Guillermo Rai spoke with DAZN to shed light on what Nadal's new position actually involves.
"What's anticipated is that he won't hold an executive role," Rai said. "That means for now he won't be involved in the club's day-to-day operations or decision-making. He'll function more as an advisor than an executive.
"Bear in mind, I'm being told that this [Nadal's appointment] is part of a transitional process that will carry significant weight in the future," Rai added. "They are working to build a very strong team around Florentino for the years ahead, particularly with an eye on the transition that has many people watching closely. We'll see what unfolds at Real Madrid once Florentino Pérez steps down."
Rai noted that Nadal has never hidden his desire to one day occupy Madrid's presidential seat, while also highlighting that Nadal has consistently shown deep respect for Pérez—even distancing himself from Enrique Riquelme when the latter challenged Pérez for the presidency over the summer.
Nadal has long been regarded as a likely Pérez successor, and this latest development will only fuel that speculation further. It may be years before it comes to fruition, but a clear path appears to be forming that could see Nadal, one of the greatest athletes of the 21st century, eventually become Real Madrid president.