Real Madrid proposes the appointment of Rafael Nadal to its board of directors, with the vote scheduled for November 21

Update

Real Madrid proposes the appointment of Rafael Nadal to its board of directors, with the vote scheduled for November 21

Real Madrid's Board of Directors decided, at its meeting on November 4, 2026, to submit Rafael Nadal's candidacy for ratification before the General Assembly of Delegate Members. The decision comes following the deepening of the close relationship with President Florentino Pérez and his status as an iconic figure of Spanish and world sport. ^{[2] [5]}

The tennis player, who retired from competition in 2024 and won 22 Grand Slam titles, has already been an honorary member of the club since 2011. Confirming his acceptance via social media, Nadal stated that he received the invitation with 'great enthusiasm', expressing his desire to learn and make his knowledge available to the institution. His interest in a leadership role was previously signaled in 2023, when he expressed his wish to potentially become president, although at that time he considered himself unqualified. ^[2]

Update

Rafael Nadal accepts appointment to Real Madrid's Board of Directors

The proposal to appoint Rafael Nadal to Real Madrid's Board of Directors was approved during the meeting chaired by President Florentino Pérez on November 4, 2026. This internal step precedes final validation, which will be submitted to the General Assembly of delegate members. ^[3]

Although the former top tennis player minimized the role of potential successor to club leadership in the past, his presence in the new board confirms the close bond with President Perez and his symbolic status within the institution. ^[3]

Update

Rafael Nadal accepts Real Madrid's invitation to the Board of Directors, with the vote to take place on November 21

President Florentino Pérez, 79 years old, secured a new four-year term in June, after the first contested election in a decade, and more than one-third of eligible voters supported candidate Enrique Riquelme. ^[5]

Real Madrid's Board of Directors decided, at its meeting on November 4, 2026, to submit Rafael Nadal's candidacy for ratification before the General Assembly of Delegate Members. The proposal to appoint Rafael Nadal to the Board of Directors was officially approved by the club's management during the session led by Florentino Pérez on November 4, 2026, paving the way for final validation. It is impossible to assess. Rafael Nadal transmitted gratitude via social media to President Florentino Pérez and the board for the invitation, stating that he accepted with enthusiasm and desired to learn. The former top tennis player declared that he makes his availability available to the institution, citing experience accumulated in performance sports. Nadal, registered as member number 67,778, posted on social media a photo of himself wearing Real Madrid equipment as a child, alongside the message accepting the proposal by the board and President Pérez. ^{[5] [4]}

Nadal, long considered a potential successor to President Florentino Pérez, has publicly downplayed the prospect of taking over club leadership, but his acceptance of entry into the board consolidates the symbolic link with the institution. The status of honorary member granted to Nadal in 2011 was mentioned as a starting point, and the new role offers him the opportunity to contribute to the present and future of the club, alongside the values of humility, respect for opponents, and charitable commitment. Nadal's presence in the new board confirms the continuity of his deep connection with President Perez and his symbolic role within the club, transcending simple status as a fan or former athlete. The values he promoted throughout his career are considered an integral part of the club's identity, and Nadal was chosen to represent them in his new role. His retirement from competition took place in November 2024, at the end of a career that included 22 Grand Slam titles. Florentino Pérez obtained a new four-year term in June 2026, following the club's contentious internal elections. Perez's political opponents, led by Enrique Riquelme, opposed plans to attract external investment in the exclusively member-owned club. ^[5]

Update

Rafael Nadal officially accepts Real Madrid's invitation to the Board of Directors, with a vote scheduled for November 21

Rafael Nadal has officially accepted the invitation from President Florentino Pérez and the board of directors of Real Madrid to become a member of the club's body. The tennis player, who ended his professional career in 2024, communicated his acceptance via social media, expressing enthusiasm for the new responsibility and the desire to learn and bring contributions specific to his accumulated experience. ^[6]

The nomination of Nadal was approved by the board of directors at its session on November 4, 2026, and will be subject to ratification by the club's delegate members ('socios') at an Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled for November 21, 2026. President Pérez, 79 years old, who secured a new four-year term in June 2026, emphasized that Nadal's status as an honorary member (granted in 2011) and his reputation as an iconic figure in sports justify this final validation stage. ^[6]