Recently retired tennis star Rafael Nadal has dismissed reports linking him with potential candidates to succeed Florentino Perez as Real Madrid president.
Perez is under immense pressure at the Santiago Bernabeu with the club heading for another trophyless season amid rumours of dressing room discord and boardroom acrimony.
Perez did little to quell the noise around Madrid yesterday by calling a hastily arranged press conference at which he accused rivals Barcelona of corruption, suggested he would call a presidential election to root out the “bad people” that were undermining his work, and lambasted the assembled media.
That has led to speculation he may be on the verge of quitting with some commentators suggesting Nadal – a lifelong Madrid fan – could be an influential figure alongside potential candidates.
But the 39-year-old today poured cold water on those reports, saying on his social media page: “I have read reports that link me to possible candidacies for the presidency of Real Madrid. I would like to clarify that these reports are not true.
Quiet Nadal shuns the limelight since retirement
Nadal has kept a relatively low profile since retiring from tennis in November 2024.
He spends much of his time in his native Mallorca at his tennis academy and playing golf.
Nadal, whose uncle Miguel Angel Nadal made over 200 appearances for Barcelona and won 62 caps for Spain, claimed 22 grand slam titles including 14 at Roland Garros, and an Olympic gold medal.
He is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all-time.
