Nadal Receives Special Gift from David Villa

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has expressed his gratitude after receiving a match-worn 2010 World Cup final shirt from Spanish football icon David Villa.

Nadal’s Focus on His Academy

Since stepping away from competitive tennis, Nadal has been primarily focused on running the Rafael Nadal Academy, located in his hometown of Manacor, Mallorca. Established in 2016, the world-class facility has attracted some of the biggest names in sports, including top-ranked tennis stars:

• Carlos Alcaraz (World No.3)
• Casper Ruud (World No.5)

The academy features:

• 43 tennis courts
• 12 padel courts
• 2 squash courts
• A football pitch
• 2 swimming pools
• A hotel, restaurants, and a residence
• A sports museum
• A sports medicine facility
• An international school for students aged 10 to 18

David Villa’s Visit and Historic Gift

This week, David Villa, Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer, visited the Rafael Nadal Academy and presented Nadal with his match-worn 2010 World Cup final shirt.

Nadal took to social media to express his appreciation:

“Thank you @Guaje7Villa for visiting the @rnadalacademy! And thank you for giving us your @FIFAWorldCup 2010 final shirt. I have fond memories of a historic day for Spanish sport that I was lucky enough to experience in South Africa. We will be displaying it in the Museum!”

David Villa: A Spanish Football Legend

Villa, now 43, is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of his generation. His illustrious career included:

• Winning Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Spain.
• Securing La Liga and the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2011.
• Playing 119 matches for Barcelona, scoring 48 goals and assisting 24 times.
• Winning the Super Cup and Club World Cup in 2011.
• Helping Atletico Madrid win La Liga in 2013-14.

Villa also played in the United States, Australia, and Japan before retiring in 2020.

A Historic Moment Preserved

Villa’s World Cup final shirt will now be on display at the Rafael Nadal Museum, commemorating a golden era of Spanish football and Nadal’s admiration for the sport.