Rafael Nadal is a diehard fan of Real Madrid football club and recently shared his thoughts about replacing Florentino Perez as club president.
The 37-year-old is one of the most decorated tennis players in history. Nadal has won 22 Grand Slams, second-most of any man, and captured two Olympic gold medals. He has also held the World No. 1 ranking for over 200 weeks and is universally considered the greatest clay court player of all time.
While Nadal spends most of his time thinking about tennis and every decision he takes pretty much revolves around his favorite sport, he is also an active supporter of Real Madrid and takes a keen interest in the Spanish club's matches.
Because of his fondness for the team and his undiminishing popularity in Spain, he has been rumored to take over as Real Madrid president should the incumbent, Florentino Perez, step down. Although Nadal has never had such ambitions, he never ruled himself out for the job during an interview last year.
He has met Perez on multiple occasions, and the pair have been pictured exchanging pleasantries. It is thought that the 76-year-old president has handpicked Nadal as his successor. Recently,the 14-time Roland Garros champion spoke to El Partizado de Cope, where the topic came up.
Nadal admitted that he had no intention to take the reins at the moment, lavishing praise on Perez's work. He added that he only wants what is best for the club, even if that means he will never be president.
"I'm not a rival for anything. He's so little afraid of me that being president of Madrid is not in my life plan. I would never face someone who is very good for Madrid."
"Florentino's (Perez) work is impressive and having the team he has, with the financial management he has done, could not have been done better and as a Real Madrid fan, I would not compete with him. Madrid gives me happiness, and I wouldn't be happier being president if I was worse."
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