LALIGA
“Rafa Nadal, president of Real Madrid? Time will tell...”
Miguel Ángel Nadal, uncle of Rafa Nadal, spoke AS about his career and the future of his nephew.
A key member of Barcelona’s ‘Dream Team’, a Spain international with 62 caps and an uncle of Rafael Nadal, Miguel Ángel Nadal is an important figure in Spanish sport. Nadal landed at Barça under Johan Cruyff in 1991, going on to lift 14 titles with the Blaugrana and he sat down with AS to discuss his career, Barça and the future of his nephew.
You have been one of the best defenders in Barça’s history, what’s your view on the club?
Last year they did big things in a tough situation. They have put together a competitive squad again, but unfortunately, injuries have reduced the team’s performance. The season is very long and you have to know how to deal with the ups and downs.
What do you think of Xavi as a coach?
Xavi knows the club perfectly well and has given stability and credibility to the team. Before he came here we always had problems and when he arrived he won the league title.
“Xavi has given stability and credibility to Barça”
The ‘Dream Team’ period was one of the best in Barcelona’s history, how do you remember it?
Being at Barcelona and winning titles is important, but even without winning titles, you have a good time. We had objectives that were achieved. We had very good friendships and still do to this day.
Cruyff’s legacy at Barça is great, how did he influence your career?
All of us were influenced by his way of being and his way of understanding soccer. He was different and we all admired him.
"Cruyff was different and we all admired him"
At Barcelona, you coincided with Guardiola, did you see him becoming a coach?
Due to his way of understanding the game, you could see that he had the profile of a coach. Then there was his ability to adapt and his personality. Today he is the best coach in the world.
When people stop you in the street, do they remember you for your past as a player or for being Rafa’s uncle?
Nobody stops me in the street (he jokes). I am very happy for him. He has had an impressive career and I have been able to enjoy it because I am passionate about tennis and a fan of Rafael. I am very grateful for experiencing what we have experienced. We have enjoyed it a lot. I’m delighted to be his uncle and I hope another member of the family as good as him will come along.
How is Rafa?
He is getting better. He has been inactive for a long time because of a difficult injury. It may be difficult for him to come back, but the important thing is that he has the enthusiasm and that he recovers the hunger for competing again.
Do you see him as the president of Real Madrid?
Rafa is passionate about soccer; he knows a lot of players. He talks to me about players I don’t even know and he is a staunch Real Madrid fan. Time will tell.