Is Rafael Nadal being lined up as a future Real Madrid president?
Rafael Nadal is again being linked with a senior boardroom position at Real Madrid, with the club’s current President Florentino Perez suggesting he could one day fill his shoes as the chief decision maker at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid fanatic Nadal has stated that he would be interested in a senior position at the club when his tennis career ends, and now Perez has stated his belief that the current world No.1 would be a fine leader for his club.
“Nadal would be a magnificent choice for the presidency of Real Madrid,” Perez told el Confidential. “He is one of the best ambassadors of Real Madrid in the world. He would be great for the club.”
Nadal admitted last year that the prospect of being Real Madrid president appealed to him, as he suggested his love for football may offer him a fresh career path in retirement.
“You never know what will happen. Everybody knows that I love football and that Real Madrid is my team,” Nadal told AS.
“Talking about that now is a bit of a utopia but if you ask me, of course I would like to be president. In any case, we’re doing just fine as we are, we have a great president and I don’t think Real Madrid need me for anything.”
The comments have sparked suspicions that Nadal has expressed an interest in getting involved at Real Madrid, with his status as one of the greatest sportsmen in Spanish history ensuring he will not be short of offers of ambassadorial work when his days on the court end.
Nadal’s withdrawal from his US Open semi-final against Juan Martin del Porto after a recurrence of the knee injury that has troubled him for many years has again cast some doubt of his short and long-term future in tennis, with the Majorca superstar yet to confirm when he will be back on court.
He has already qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals in London in November and is embroiled in a battle with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to secure the year end world No 1 spot, yet Nadal will not rush back to action until the inflammation in his knee has subsided.
That may mean he misses the Asian swing of the ATP tour, where Federer and Djokovic will look to make up ground in race to finish 2018 as No 1.
Latest
-
ATP TourMystery over Carlos Alcaraz post match message is resolved
The mystery over Carlos Alcaraz’s post-match message has been cleared up.
-
WTA TourBianca Andreescu issues update after horror injury at Miami Open
Bianca Andreescu has issued an update on her condition.
-
WTA TourNaomi Osaka backs herself to return and win a Grand Slam
Naomi Osaka will be back and wants to win another Grand Slam.
-
ATP TourWatch: Andrey Rublev moved by heartfelt fan message
Andrey Rublev says he wants to hug fan after reading an emotional message.
-
ATP TourTaylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner win early to book last eight spots in Miami
Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz scored wins with minimum fuss.
-
ATP TourFrances Tiafoe fires up compatriot Chris Eubanks for Miami Open win
Frances Tiafoe has been credited with firing up Chris Eubanks.
-
Tennis NewsTaylor Fritz’s girlfriend Morgan Riddle is a big tennis influencer after Netflix exposure
Taylor Fritz’s girlfriend Morgan Riddle has become one of the biggest influencers in tennis.
-
Davis CupDavis Cup Finals group stage to come to Manchester
Great Britain will take on three other teams in September at the AO Arena, with the top two progressing to the ‘Final 8’.
-
NewsElena Rybakina: ‘Physically I’m not the freshest, but I’m happy that I’m managing’
Elena Rybakina looked as good as ever on court but she admits that she is feeling her 11-match winning streak.
-
NewsWilson sign new deal to take padel to a wider audience
Wilson have stepped up their plans to take tennis to as wide an audience as possible by signing a deal with Playtomic.