Tennis icon Rafael Nadal has shared his thoughts on this season’s UEFA Champions League, expressing his hope for a thrilling final between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
As a passionate supporter of football and a lifelong Madrid fan, Nadal believes an El Clasico showdown in the final would be an unforgettable spectacle for Spanish football.
During a recent discussion, Nadal reflected on the dramatic Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid.
On Julian Alvarez’s penalty incident
He pointed out the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Julian Alvarez’s penalty, highlighting that the Argentine forward appeared to strike the ball twice, leading to an unusual and unlucky situation for Atletico.
While Nadal celebrated Madrid’s victory as a devoted fan, he admitted feeling sympathy for Alvarez, acknowledging his quality as both a footballer and a person.
“I think he hit the ball twice; this is what has been demonstrated. But for me, Julian Alvarez was the height of bad luck. As a Madridista, I celebrated the victory, but it felt really bad to me,” he said.
Barcelona’s strong season and Madrid’s resilience
The 22-time Grand Slam champion also praised Barcelona’s performances this season, recognising their impressive form and style of play.
He acknowledged that they are strong contenders in the competition but maintained that Real Madrid, known for their resilience and experience, remains in the fight for the title.
Talking about a potential Champions League Clasico final, he said, “I would suffer it but I would resist it.
“For Spanish football, it would be the bomb. But as I thought when I played, you can’t think about finals when you’re in the quarterfinals.”
Nadal’s favourite for the Champions League
Despite praising Barcelona’s form, Nadal stopped short of calling them favourites for the Champions League crown.
Instead, he referred to them as serious contenders, placing them among other top European clubs. He also highlighted Real Madrid’s historical dominance in the competition, having lifted the trophy a record fifteen times.
“There are teams like Paris Saint Germain, Bayern Munich, Inter, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and Real Madrid, who have won the tournament fifteen times.
“So, I wouldn’t talk about Barcelona as a big favourite. I would speak of Barcelona as a great candidate,” he added.
Source: SPORT
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