Tennis legend Rafael Nadal is set to join the board of directors for the Spanish football giants Real Madrid. The 40-year-old, who retired in 2024 after winning 22 Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals, and helping Spain secure five Davis Cups, will be asked for approval by Real's members at a meeting later this month.

In a statement announcing the move, the club 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." Real added that it is "a great source of pride" to have a figure of his "sporting and human stature" join the board to contribute to the "present and future of our club."

Nadal, a boyhood fan who holds member's number 67,778, responded to the news on X with a photo of himself as a child in a club kit. "I want to thank president Florentino Perez and the board for proposing that I join the board of directors of Real Madrid," Nadal said. "I have accepted this proposal with great excitement, a desire to learn, and a willingness to contribute everything I can."

President Florentino Perez was re-elected to a new four-year term in June, having held the office since 2009. Following his re-election, Perez appointed Jose Mourinho to a second spell as head coach to improve the club's fortunes after they went a second season without a trophy in La Liga, the Champions League or the Copa del Rey. Real Madrid currently sits third in the league after 11 games, trailing defending champions Barcelona by three points.