TENNIS icon Rafael Nadal has rubbished claims he is looking to become the next president of Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants’ current president, Florentino Perez, went on a crazy rant at a press conference on Tuesday evening.
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Rafael Nadal has denied claims he is running for Real Madrid president Credit: AFP
It comes after Florentino Perez launched a stunning rant in a Tuesday press conference Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
That included the 79-year-old attacking journalists, including targeting one female reporter, and calling for new presidential elections at the club three years ahead of the next mandate.
The backdrop of the rant is Real falling to a trophyless season, while Jose Mourinho is also heavily linked with a sensational return to the Bernabeu.
However, Perez has also insisted he won’t be going anywhere despite an apparent “organised campaign” against his leadership, and would put himself up for election again.
He said: “I’m here to say I’m not going anywhere and I’m here to stand for election.
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“If someone does want to stand for election, this is your opportunity. But don’t move in the shadows with publications, news outlets.
“And I’m not in bed, unwell. I have to come out and sit here because as Real Madrid president, I can’t allow journalists to do what they do.”
Some reports had suggested that Real superfan Nadal would be in line to challenge Perez for that role, having run unopposed in each of the club’s last five elections held in 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025.
However, the 39-year-old took to social media to address those claims.
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Nadal is a Real Madrid fan, but confirmed reports he was a possible candidate to challenge Perez were ‘not true’ Credit: Getty
He said: “I have read reports that link me to possible candidacies for the presidency of Real Madrid.
“I would like to clarify that these reports are not true.”
Spaniard Nadal retired from tennis in 2024, having won a staggering 22 Grand Slam titles, bettered only by Novak Djokovic‘s 24 titles.
Nadal completed a career Grand Slam, but was particularly potent on clay.
The 14 titles he won on the surface playing at the French Open saw him earn the moniker, “The King of Clay”.
While Nadal has confirmed he won’t be in the race, the same report by Barcelona-based media outlet La Vanguardia claimed the CEO of renewable energy firm Cox Energy, Enrique Riquelme, was considering running.
That was alongside another bid from Iberdrola – another renewable energy company – executive David Mesonero.
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