Rafa Nadal wants to be Florentino Perez’s successor at Madrid

The 22-time Grand Slam winner, a Madrid fan and honorary member of the club, played her last tennis match at the Australian Open in January before announcing her retirement from the sport due to a hip injury. 2024.

Perez, 76, has been Madrid’s president since 2009, having previously held the position between 2000 and 2006.

“Do I want to be (president)? I think so,” Nadal told Movistar on Monday. “I think I like it. But there are many things. There is nothing to say now because we have a great president.

“I may not think tomorrow what I think today. Life has many twists and turns. You have to know if you are qualified to do this kind of thing. I am very realistic. I know my limits. I don’t know. Whether I can do it or not, time will tell.

“I didn’t ask [Pérez] about this. i think of you [los medios] They freed themselves. I don’t think it meets the requirements it should have [presidente]”.

Madrid’s laws establish strict conditions for assuming the presidency, including being a member for 20 years, being able to personally guarantee 15 percent of the club’s annual budget and obtaining Spanish citizenship.

Nadal has been an honorary member since 2011.

Since returning to power in 2009 following the troubled presidency of Ramón Calderon, Pérez has been re-elected unopposed in 2013, 2017 and 2021.

Madrid lead the La Liga standings with five wins from five and open their Champions League campaign against Union Berlin at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

“Madrid has started well, but it’s too early,” Nadal said. “There are some important injuries like Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao or Vinicius Jr. They also made an amazing signing like Jude Bellingham.

The tennis star was asked if he would welcome Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe after failing to sign him over the past three seasons.

“Another striker would be nice,” Nadal said. “I am [esperando a Kylian Mbappé]? Yes. I have no problem with Mbappé, quite the opposite. I will be glad if you come. “He has no obligation to come to Madrid when we, the fans, want him.”