Nadal agreement with Real Madrid was sealed before the Clásico and only four people knew

Rafael Nadal will join Real Madrid's board of directors pending ratification by the assembly on November 21, with the deal agreed weeks before the announcement.

Rafael Nadal will become a member of Real Madrid's board of directors if approved by the club's assembly on November 21. The agreement was reached before the recent Clásico but kept secret, known only to four people within the club's inner circle. Nadal expressed his willingness to join, calling it an honour to be considered.

Florentino Pérez and his trusted advisors negotiated the deal through a couple of conversations with the former world number one tennis player. The announcement was made at a pre-arranged time after Pérez informed the rest of the board, who unanimously supported the decision. Nadal, an honorary member since 2011, has maintained a cordial relationship with the Madrid president and has regularly attended matches at the Bernabéu when his schedule permitted.

Nadal has been retired from professional tennis for two years, though he played an exhibition match at his academy in Manacor in October. He has announced a return for an exhibition tournament in Las Vegas in February 2027.