Tennis legend Rafael Nadal is poised to join the board of directors at Spanish football club Real Madrid. The club announced the move in a statement, noting Nadal's status 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 Madrid's members will vote on the 40-year-old's appointment at a meeting scheduled for later this month. The club expressed pride that a figure of his "sporting and human stature" would contribute to the club's present and future.
Nadal, a lifelong Real Madrid supporter who holds member's number 67,778, shared his excitement about the proposal on X, formerly Twitter. "I have accepted this proposal with great excitement, a desire to learn, and a willingness to contribute everything I can," he stated, thanking club president Florentino Perez and the board.
It remains unclear what specific responsibilities Nadal will undertake on the board. Perez was re-elected as Real Madrid president in June for a new four-year term. He recently appointed Jose Mourinho for a second stint as head coach in an effort to improve the team's performance after a season without major trophies. Real Madrid is currently third in their league standings after 11 matches.