How Carlo Ancelotti responded when Rafael Nadal said he wanted to be Real Madrid president in 2023

Rafael Nadal is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, but has seldom restricted himself to just one sport.

Naturally, he gave the best physical years of his life to tennis, but always managed to find time for golf and football where possible.

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The latter has always been a long-term passion of his, as one of Real Madrid’s most famous supporters.

And, in 2023, just a year before he retired, the Spaniard spoke about his desire to one day be the club’s president.

When Rafael Nadal said he wanted to be Real Madrid’s president

First speaking to MARCA in 2017, the 39-year-old was insistent that, whilst he would take the opportunity in a heartbeat, they were not in need of his services given the success enjoyed under Florentino Perez’s current rule.

Nadal claimed: “Of course I’d like to be Real Madrid president. You never know what’ll happen in the future.

“Anyhow, we have a great president now and I don’t think Real Madrid will need me.”

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Echoing that same sentiment with Forbes just last year, he also added that the timing would have to be right for him to ever consider taking over from ‘the best man for the job’.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion concluded by stating: “I don’t know… conceptually, it must be a beautiful position to have. If I were to consider it, I would have to do so when I’m ready, part of me would like to be in a position where I could consider it, but I don’t know.”

Carlo Ancelotti shut down Rafael Nadal’s Real Madrid presidency claim

Naturally, if such a switch were to occur, this would be one of the most sensational stories in sporting history.

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After all, it would see one of tennis’ best-ever players join forces with arguably the biggest club in football.

However, when Carlo Ancelotti heard the rumours back in 2023, he was not convinced.

The Italian, who has coached the club for six years across two different spells, admitted: “All the time I’ve been here I’ve had a president who is Florentino Pérez, who is doing a fantastic job and who is the best possible president for Real Madrid.

“We’re very proud to have Rafa Nadal. I have total admiration for him as a sportsman; we’re proud he is a true Madridista.”

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