Perez wants Nadal to succeed him as president of Real Madrid

A 22-time Major champion Rafael Nadal could become the 18th president of the Real Madrid football club! The current president Florentino Perez, who has been leading Real Madrid between 2000-2006 and since 2009, would love to see the most accomplished Spanish athlete of all time as his successor.

Rafa has been a loyal Real Madrid fan all his life, except when his uncle played for Barcelona. Nadal visits Santiago Bernabeu whenever he can, enjoying matches with his family and friends and supporting the most accomplished team in football history.

It would be interesting to follow the upcoming news about Real Madrid's new president and who will take that honor after Perez.

For Nadal, it would likely mean he would have to move to the Spanish capital and leave his island of Mallorca, which is hard to imagine.

Rafa has not played since January, experiencing a hip injury in Melbourne and undergoing surgery. Nadal will try to make another push in 2024, play his favorite tournaments and retire on his terms.

One of the most decorated players of all time struggled with injuries in 2022 and still conquered the opening two Majors for the first time in a career. Rafa led the ATP Race in June and had a great chance to become world no. 1 at 36 by the end of the season. Instead, the Spaniard experienced an abdominal tear at Wimbledon, ruining his progress and ending his winning path.

Nadal withdrew ahead of the semi-final clash with Nick Kyrgios and never reached that level again.

Rafa has played only 13 matches since last August, witnessing more blows and starting to think about retirement.

Nadal made a slow start to the current season and entered the Australian Open with no confidence after two United Cup losses.

He experienced a severe hip injury against Mackenzie McDonald in the second round and lost the title in the worst way. The Spaniard revealed a Grade 2 iliopsoas that should have kept him away from the court for two months. Instead, a 22-time Major champion is yet to recover, losing ground and experiencing one of the worst periods of his incredible career.

Rafa underwent surgery, eager to make one last push and end his remarkable career at his favorite tournaments in 2024, including the Olympic Games in Paris.