Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players in history, is set to join the board of directors of Real Madrid, pending ratification by the club's members.
The Spanish football giants announced the move following a board meeting, stating that the appointment will be submitted to the General Assembly of Delegated Members for approval at a meeting later this month.
Nadal, 40, retired from professional tennis in November 2024. During his career, he won 22 Grand Slam titles and 92 singles titles in total, claimed two Olympic gold medals, and helped Spain win five Davis Cup titles. He also held the world number one ranking.
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."
"It is a great source of pride that a figure of his sporting and human stature, a benchmark of Spanish and world sport, will become part of our board of directors and contribute, from this position of responsibility, to the present and future of our club," the club added.
The club also highlighted qualities Nadal displayed beyond his on-court achievements, including humility, respect for opponents and commitment to charity, saying these values mirrored Real Madrid's own identity.
Nadal is a lifelong Real Madrid supporter and holds club membership number 67,778. He is already an honorary member of the club. In his response to the announcement, he included a childhood photo of himself wearing the club's kit.
"I want to thank president Florentino Perez and the board for proposing that I join the board of directors of Real Madrid," Nadal wrote on social media. "I have accepted this proposal with great excitement, a desire to learn, and a willingness to contribute everything I can."
It remains unclear what specific responsibilities Nadal will hold on the board.
Nadal has long been mentioned as a potential future successor to club president Florentino Perez, though he has played down that prospect.
Perez, 79, was re-elected to a new four-year term in June, following Real Madrid's first contested presidential election in two decades. More than a third of voting members backed challenger Enrique Riquelme, who opposed plans to bring outside investment into the member-owned club. Perez has held the presidency since 2009.
Following his re-election, Perez appointed Jose Mourinho to a second spell as head coach, aiming to improve the club's fortunes after two consecutive seasons without a trophy in La Liga, the Champions League or the Copa del Rey.
Real Madrid are currently third in La Liga after 11 games, three points behind defending champions Barcelona.
