Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal would like to succeed Florentino Perez as Real Madrid president one day, but admitted he might not meet the criteria for the job.

The 22-time grand slam champion, also a Madrid fan and honorary club member since 2011, played his most recent game at this year’s Australian Open and has been out of action with a hip injury since.

Perez, 76, has been Madrid president since 2009 and previously held the post between 2000 and 2006.

“Would I like to be (president)? I think so,” Nadal told Movistar in an interview.

“I think I’d like to. But there are a lot of things. Right now, there’s nothing to say because we have the best possible president (in the form of Perez).

“Also, what I think today, I might not think tomorrow. There are a lot of twists and turns in life. You have to know if you’re qualified to do this kind of a thing.

“I’m quite realistic. I know my limitations. I don’t know if I’d be capable or not. Time
will tell.

“I haven’t asked (Perez) about it. I think you (the media) get carried away. I don’t think I fulfil the requirements to be president.”

Real Madrid are at the top of the La Liga table with five wins out of five and kick off their Champions League campaign against Union Berlin at the Bernabeu on Wednesday. “Madrid have started well, but it’s still very early,” Nadal said.

“There are some injuries like that of (Thibaut) Courtois, (Eder) Militao and Vinicius (Junior). They also made a spectacular signing like (Jude) Bellingham though.”

Nadal would also be happy if Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe joined Madrid, after the club missed out on his signing over the last three seasons. “I’d be happy if he came,” Nadal said.