Rafael Nadal is known to be a huge Real Madrid fan. In fact, soccer runs in his veins. Miguel Nadal, his uncle, is an ex-professional football player who played for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
Rafa himself has admitted in the past that if he hadn’t become a tennis player, he would have become a footballer, such as his love for the game. Thus, it was apt for the 20-time Grand Slam champion to play a celebrity role and inaugurate a major Spanish football tournament.
Rafael Nadal makes presence felt at Copa Del Ray
The Copa del Ray is a major event in the Spanish soccer calendar, pitting teams from across the Hispanic land. Top teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona have competed vigorously in past tournaments and lifted the trophy.
Thus, the presence of Rafael Nadal at the first-round match between CD Manacor and Las Palmas sent fans into a frenzy at the stadium. The 36-year-old former world No. 1 tennis star looked ravishing in an all-black suit and a neatly combed slickback hairdo as he strode to the center to kick off the game.
Gleaming with a wide smile, Nadal proceeded to kick the ball towards the goal amid a rapturous response from the packed Poliesportiu Municipal Na Capellera audience in attendance.
Rafael Nadal hasn’t competed on the professional tour since January and while he will be looking to spend his off-time practicing on the tennis court in order to make a much-awaited comeback, he will cherish the opportunity to spend time with his newborn son and catch a Real Madrid game in the stadium.
The Spanish star has opened up about the possibility of taking over the reigns of the Spanish capital’s soccer club in a bold and ambitious statement to the media.
Nadal sets ambitious goals for Real Madrid presidency in future
Rafael Nadal stated that he would like to succeed Florentino PĂ©rez as Real Madrid president someday but was doubtful over whether he would meet the criteria.
In an interview with Movistar, Nadal said, “Would I like to be [president]? I think so.”
“You have to know if you’re qualified to do this kind of thing. I’m quite realistic. I know my limitations. I don’t know if I’d be capable or not. Time will tell,” he added.
Nadal further praised Perez and said that he was the best president one could hope for in the current scenario. For Nadal to become president, he would have to serve as an honorary club member for another 8 years and guarantee 15% of the club’s annual budget from his own pocket. He fulfills the final criteria of being a Spanish national.
The tennis star also weighed in on the Kylian Mbappe saga and was asked if he would welcome the French prodigy at the club.
“Another forward would be good,” Nadal said. “Am I [waiting for Kylian MbappĂ©]? Yes I am. I don’t have any problem with MbappĂ©, quite the opposite. I’d be happy if he came … He didn’t have the obligation to come to Madrid when we the fans wanted him to.”
What are your opinions on Rafael Nadal’s soccer fandom? Will the Spanish star make a comeback to professional tennis next season? Let us know in the comments section below.
