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Rafael Nadal and his family couldn't contain their joy, as Jude Bellingham scored a dramatic stoppage-time goal to seal Real Madrid's win over rivals Barcelona in the riveting La Liga clash.
Nadal, a passionate Real Madrid fan, was in attendance at the Santiago Bernabeu for the highly anticipated El Clasico on Sunday, April 21, ahead of the 2024 Madrid Open. The Spaniard was joined by his father Sebastian and sister Maribel.
The blockbuster clash more than lived up to expectations, with Jude Bellingham scoring an incredible winner in the first minute of stoppage time to give his team a thrilling 3-2 victory.
Rafael Nadal's delight at Bellingham's last-gasp winner was palpable, as he leapt to his feet in joy and cheered enthusiastically. The 37-year-old also shared a tight embrace with his father and sister as they joined in the celebrations.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion previously shared his appreciation for Jude Bellingham. In an interview earlier this year, the Spaniard expressed his reluctance to choose between the Real Madrid duo of Vinicius Junior and Bellingham, emphasizing that they both have their respective strengths.
He hailed Viniscus as "spectacular" and lauded Bellingham for his "impressive" run with the team despite being only 20.
"Bellingham or Vinícius? I will not choose. They’re both very good with different mentalities. I think Vinícius is spectacular, and Jude Bellingham is incredible for what he has done since he came to Madrid at just 20 years old," he said.
Rafael Nadal on potentially becoming future Real Madrid president: "Madrid gives me happiness, and I wouldn't be happier being president if I was worse"
Rafael Nadal's lifelong support for Real Madrid led to reports last year that the former World No. 1 was next in line to succeed Florentino Perez as the president of the club.
However, the 22-time Grand Slam champion clarified that he isn't a rival for Perez's position, disclosing that becoming the president of the club is not part of his "life plan."
"I'm not a rival for anything. He's so little afraid of me that being president of Madrid is not in my life plan. I would never face someone who is very good for Madrid," he said.
Nadal also expressed his admiration for Perez's work with the club and said that taking over as the president of Real Madrid would make him unhappy if he couldn't live up to Perez's performance.
"Florentino's work is impressive and having the team he has, with the financial management he has done, could not have been done better and as a Real Madrid fan, I would not compete with him. Madrid gives me happiness, and I wouldn't be happier being president if I was worse," he added.
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here
