Tennis legend Rafael Nadal recently revealed his desire to one day succeed Florentino Pérez as the president of Real Madrid. Nadal, who is a devoted fan of the club and an honorary member, expressed his interest in the role during an interview with Movistar. However, he also acknowledged that he may not meet the necessary criteria for the job.
Despite his enthusiasm for the position, Nadal admitted that he is realistic about his qualifications. He recognizes that becoming the president of Real Madrid requires a specific set of qualifications, which he may not possess. Nadal voiced uncertainty about his ability to fulfill the necessary requirements, emphasizing the need for self-awareness. He also noted that his perspective on the matter may change over time, as life often presents unexpected twists and turns.
Nadal praised Florentino Pérez, currently serving as the president of Real Madrid, describing him as the “best possible president.” He acknowledged that Perez has been instrumental in the success of the club and expressed his admiration for his leadership. Nadal’s respect for Perez suggests that he is not actively pursuing the presidency at this time.
Real Madrid’s statutes establish strict criteria for assuming the presidency. These criteria include being a club member for a minimum of 20 years, personally guaranteeing 15% of the club’s annual budget, and holding Spanish nationality. While Nadal has been an honorary member since 2011, he is aware that honorary membership may not fulfill the requirement for assuming the presidency.
Florentino Pérez has been the president of Real Madrid since 2009, having previously held the position between 2000 and 2006. Since his return to power in 2009, Perez has been reelected unopposed in 2013, 2017, and 2021, highlighting his success and popularity within the club.
Despite Nadal’s aspirations, he remains focused on the current state of Real Madrid. The team is currently at the top of the LaLiga table with a perfect record of five wins out of five. However, Nadal pointed out that it is still early in the season and mentioned the impact of injuries on the team’s performance. He highlighted the absence of key players such as Thibaut Courtois, Éder Militao, and Vinicius Junior, as well as the addition of Jude Bellingham to the squad.
In the interview, Nadal was asked about the potential signing of Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé. Real Madrid has pursued the French superstar for the past three seasons without success. Nadal expressed his openness to welcoming Mbappé to the club, emphasizing that he would be happy if the talented forward joined Real Madrid.
As Nadal continues his tennis career, his aspirations for a future role as Real Madrid president linger in the background. While he acknowledges his limitations, only time will tell if he will pursue this dream and fulfill the necessary criteria to lead the prestigious club.
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