Rafael Nadal, a proud Real Madrid supporter, couldn’t resist the lure of witnessing his beloved team take on Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The tennis legend, who has openly expressed his admiration for Real Madrid over the years, attended the high-stakes Copa del Rey semi-final clash alongside his father.
As the tension-filled match unfolded, Nadal’s reactions mirrored the dramatic twists and turns of the contest.
Nadal was every Real Madrid fan
Like thousands of fans present at the Bernabeu, Nadal went through an emotional roller coaster as Real Madrid battled fiercely to secure a spot in the Copa del Rey final.
Particularly in the latter stages of the second half, the atmosphere was charged with anxiety and hope, with the crowd hanging on every pass and shot.
Despite their relentless efforts, Real Madrid struggled to find the breakthrough needed to avoid the agony of a penalty shootout.
— Hala Madrid (@HalaMad67519111) April 1, 2025
Nadal, famous for his mental toughness on the tennis court, seemed to be living every moment of the match with as much intensity as if he were playing a Grand Slam final.
His reactions to near misses and defensive mishaps reflected the sheer passion he feels for his club. But his most animated moment came when Antonio Rudiger delivered the decisive blow.
Far from being an easy match
As Rudiger scored the crucial goal in the 115th minute to make it 4-4 and secure Real Madrid’s aggregate victory of 5-4, Nadal erupted with joy.
The former tennis champion clenched his fist and shouted in celebration, expressing both relief and exhilaration.
The victory wasn’t straightforward for Real Madrid. Despite their best efforts, it took until extra time for them to find the decisive goal against a resilient Real Sociedad side.
Real Madrid desperately tried to avoid the dreaded penalty shootout, pressing forward relentlessly to find a winner.
In the end, it was Rudiger’s timely goal that sealed the dramatic encounter and sent Real Madrid to the final of this year’s Copa del Rey.
