Rafael Nadal swapped tennis for transfers by instructing Real Madrid to make signing

dailystar.co.uk:

Rafa Nadal secured a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title after beating Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller in the Australian Open final on Sunday.The victory moves the Spaniard clear of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the all-time rankings to strengthen his claim as the greatest tennis player of all time.Nadal has been at the forefront of the game ever since emerging as a teen sensation in 2005 - but tennis isn't the only sport he has a hand in.The 35-year-old has close ties to football.

Not only does he have a 10% stake in Real Mallorca, his local club side, but his uncle Miguel - who also has a stake in the club - played professionally for Barcelona as well as the Spanish national team.As it happens, Nadal is a lifelong Real Madrid supporters and once used his connections to help facilitate a transfer for Los Blancos.After seeing a 17-year-old Marco Asensio excel in Mallorca's youth team, the tennis icon got in touch with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, urging him to sign the youngster."Presi, you must sign this kid," Nadal reportedly told Perez - and he did.Despite interest from Barcelona, Asensio joined Madrid for around £3 million in November 2014 before being loaned back to Mallorca for the rest of the season to further his development.Who is your club's biggest 'celebrity fan'?

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