Rafael Nadal is no stranger to carrying the hopes of Spain on a global stage.
This weekend, the 92-time tour-level titlist will be on the other side of the equation when his home country’s national football team meets Argentina in a highly anticipated World Cup final.
Nadal, who retired from professional tennis in 2024, reflected on his dual-sport passion in a social media post Saturday and shared a message of support for the Spanish team.
“Football has been one of my greatest passions ever since I was a kid,” the former World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings wrote in Spanish. “I've always enjoyed playing the game, watching matches and cheering on our national team.
“I still remember the incredible feeling of being in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup final. We'll never forget it! Tomorrow we'll have another chance to enjoy one of those historic matches against an Argentina team, and a country, I deeply respect and admire. Best of luck to the team.
Vamos, España!”
Nadal’s uncle, Miguel Ángel Nadal, is a former footballer who represented Spain in three World Cups and played for Spanish clubs FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca.
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