The 22-time Grand Slam champion has agreed to join the club's governing board after being approached by Pérez, in a move that brings one of Spain's most celebrated sporting figures into the institution's leadership.
Real Madrid announced on November 4 that its board had agreed to submit Nadal's appointment to the General Assembly of Delegate Members for approval. The vote is scheduled for November 21, meaning his position is not yet formally confirmed.
Nadal welcomed the proposal, describing it as an honour and expressing his enthusiasm about contributing to the club.
"I want to thank president Florentino Pérez and the board for proposing that I join the board of directors of Real Madrid," he said. "I have accepted this proposal with great excitement, I'm eager to learn and to contribute everything I can."
The 40-year-old has been an honorary member of Real Madrid since 2011 and has maintained a close relationship with Pérez. He has regularly attended matches at the Santiago Bernabéu when his tennis commitments have allowed.
The agreement had reportedly been reached before October's Clásico, with only a small number of people within the club aware of the discussions. Pérez subsequently informed the other directors before the proposal was formally announced.
Nadal's name had also surfaced during the club's presidential election campaign in June, when he was linked with potential challenger Enrique Riquelme. The tennis great moved quickly to distance himself from those reports, making clear that he had no intention of joining Riquelme's candidacy.
His new role is separate from the presidency, and the appointment does not make him an immediate successor to Pérez. Nadal is a club member of honour, but the club's statutes require a lengthy period of ordinary membership for anyone seeking to stand for president.
Nadal retired from professional tennis in November 2024 after a career that included 22 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 French Open crowns, two Olympic gold medals and five Davis Cup victories with Spain.
Real Madrid highlighted not only his achievements but also his competitiveness, humility, respect for opponents and charitable work when announcing the proposal.
His arrival would give the board a figure with international recognition and extensive experience at the highest level of professional sport. The club has not yet outlined any specific responsibilities he would take on, but his appointment would add a prominent sporting voice to its leadership.
The final decision now rests with the club's delegate members, who will be asked to ratify the board's proposal later this month.