Rafael Nadal mourns the passing of Real Madrid legend and honorary president Amancio Amaro

Modified Feb 22, 2023 05:05 GMT

Rafael Nadal expressed his condolences on the passing of Amancio Amaro

Rafael Nadal is mourning the passing of Real Madrid legend Amancio Amaro, who has also served as the honorary president for the club since October 2022. Amaro also played for Deportivo La Coruna and and the Spanish national team.

On February 21, it was announced that Amancio Amaro had died at the age of 83. The footballer played a total of 14 seasons for Real Madrid between 1962 and 1976. He has won as many as nine La Liga titles and a European Cup. Nicknamed El Brujo (The Magician), Amancio Amaro scored 155 goals in his 471 showings for Real Madrid.

“our deepest condolences for the passing of our beloved honorary president, Amancio Amaro,” Real Madrid president said in a statement. “Amancio is one of the biggest Real Madrid legends and one of the best wingers in the football world. Above all, he has been an example for the values that our club stands for.”

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal, an avid football watcher and self-proclaimed superfan of Real Madrid, was saddened by the unfortunate news of the footballer’s demise and expressed his condolences.

“Rest in peace Amancio. We will all be forever grateful to you,” the Spaniard wrote.

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Rafael Nadal’s love for football is no secret. The former World No. 1 had also previously revealed that while he played both tennis and football as a child, he was asked to make the tough decision of choosing just one sport to master.

Nonetheless, Rafael Nadal has been a lifelong supporter of the Spanish football team and Real Madrid. He has also never shied away from expressing his fondness for the Argentinian football team, and their latest triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup was dearly appreciated by the Spaniard. More so, the 22-time Grand Slam champion was thrilled as Argentinian team captain Lionel Messi scored two goals for the team and lifted the World Cup.

Both Nadal and Messi are now nominated for the prestigious Laureus Sportsman of the Year award, and while the tennis legend has had his own stunning accomplishments in 2022, which include winning two Grand Slams, the former World No. 1 believes that Lionel Messi deserves the accolades for his World Cup heroics.

“An honor to be nominated again to the Laureus Sportsman of the Year … but … this year … vamos @leomessi te lo mereces tu [Come on Lionel Messi you deserve it],” the former World No. 1 said on his Instagram story recently.

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