RAFAEL NADAL is interested in becoming Real Madrid president one day.
The tennis legend hasn’t competed on the tour since losing to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the Australian Open back in January.
Rafael Nadal has been out of action since JanuaryCredit: Getty
The Spaniard embraces Florentino PerezCredit: Getty
He is working his way to towards a comeback, but doesn’t know how much longer he’ll be able to go on.
Nadal, 37, discussed his future during a sit down interview with Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion is a renowned Real Madrid fan, having appeared at plenty of games down the years.
Asked if he could become the club’s president one day, Nadal ruled nothing out – although he was glowing in his praise for current incumbent Florentino Perez.
He said: “I don’t know. I promise that it’s not always been a dream of mine.
“But if you ask me if I’d like to be Real Madrid president, I think I would. But first of all, we’ve got the best possible president at the moment.
“On top of that, how I feel today might not be how I feel tomorrow. And then you never know what can happen in life.
“You have to know if you’re capable of doing that type of thing. I’m quite realistic with myself, I more or less know my limitations.
Nadal has been battling Novak Djokovic for the best part of 20 yearsCredit: Getty
“I don’t know if I’d be capable of doing it or not. Anyway, time will tell.”
In terms of Real Madrid’s current prospects, Nadal wants another striker, and has his eye on one superstar in particular.
He continued: “Would another forward be welcome right now? I think so but… I want (Kylian) Mbappe to come, I don’t have any problem with that at all, quite the opposite. I’d be happy if he came.
“Of course I like Mbappe, who doesn’t like Mbappe? He didn’t have any obligation to come before.
“Real Madrid is Real Madrid and is bigger than any other player. But Mbappe doesn’t have any obligation to come when us fans want him to come.”
During his time out injured Nadal has seen Novak Djokovic overtake his tally of Grand Slams, the Serb recently moving onto 24 at the US Open.
Asked whether he’s disappointed to have been leapfrogged by his long-time rival, Nadal added: “I am not frustrated for a simple reason – within my possibilities, I have done everything to make things as good as possible.
“Yes, you can live frustrated with 22 Grand Slams, for example, Novak lives it in a more intense way.
“For him, it would have been a greater frustration not to achieve it. Perhaps that is why he achieved it.”
Kylian Mbappe is top of Real Madrid’s wishlistCredit: Reuters
Nadal, 37, could turn towards an executive roleCredit: AFP