Rafael Nadal praises Carlo Ancelotti-led Real Madrid hoping for another trophy-laden season for the Club
Real Madrid team and Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal has lifelong been a Real Madrid Football Club fan. Not only is he one of the club’s biggest fans, he is an honorary member of the Los Blancos since 2014. Reports had emerged that Nadal was involved in getting Marco Asensio to sign for the club. Asensio has over the years become an important player for Madrid and Nadal is often thanked for it.
Nadal has often been spotted in the VIP box at the Santiago Bernabeu cheering on for Madrid. He has also been given the privilege of kicking off the game for his achievements on the tennis courts. As the club season resumes once again following the break due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Nadal laid down his expectations from his favorite football club.
Going into the break because of the World Cup, Real Madrid sits second on the points table. They trail table toppers Barcelona with only two points. In the UEFA Champions League, Madrid is the defending champions having won their 14th title in the competition last year. In the Round of 16, Madrid now faces Liverpool in what will be a repeat of last year’s finals.
“Madrid is in a privileged position in all competitions, playing fantastic football for me. And until the last three games before the break, everything was going smoothly. I think Madrid have a great team, with a coach who knows how to manage everything in the best possible way. And I’m happy to see Madrid as it is, with many young players combined with veteran players,” said Nadal speaking with AS.
Rafael Nadal’s connection with football
Nadal comes from a sporting family. While his father was an insurance broker, his uncles pushed him toward sports. The 22-time Grand Slam champion’s uncle Miguel Angel Nadal was a professional football player. He played for RCD Mallorca, Barcelona, and the Spanish national team netting 55 career goals in 574 appearances. Rafa was introduced to tennis by his other uncle and coach Toni Nadal.
Rafa was winning competitions in both football and tennis until the age of 12 when he came to a crossroads. His father Sebastian, wishing his studies shouldn’t get affected, asked Rafa to choose either football or tennis. Seeing the individual aspect of the sport, Rafa picked up the tennis racket and the rest is history.
The former World No. 1 has however continued to play football over the years. He often brings his football skills to the tennis court as well as picking the tennis ball by juggling it before picking it up. He was also spotted playing with the ball during his Latin America tour with Casper Ruud and his coaching team.
Sarthak Shitole
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