The current football coach and former FC Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez visited the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Manacor, Mallorca, for the first time. A tour of the facilities and a padel session on the recently opened indoor courts—which formally opened in August 2025—were part of the visit. Xavi, who is well-known for his love of sports outside of football, jumped at the chance to explore the academy’s newest addition to its elite campus.
A mutual love of athletics and health
Rafa Nadal himself hosted Xavi during his visit. The two athletes, who are legendary in their fields, talked about their common dedication to physical fitness and sport. “Padel keeps me in shape,” said Xavi. I make an effort to include athletics into every aspect of my life. We’ve been big Rafa fans, and I’ve always enjoyed tennis. His comments reveal a way of life that values exercise, self-control, and the excitement of competition.
Views of the academy’s infrastructure
Xavi praised the academy’s facilities, emphasizing their high level of technical proficiency and friendly environment. “To be honest, everything is fantastic. We were also taken aback by how welcome and courteous the staff was, and how excellent the amenities were,” he added. The academy’s continuous expansion to accommodate both tennis and padel players includes the year-round indoor padel courts.
An expanding center for superior padel
Movistar’s Rafa Nadal Academy has emerged as a premier destination for top-tier padel and tennis instruction. The academy’s role in nurturing talent and advancing sport at all levels is strengthened with the addition of three expansive indoor courts. With Xavi’s arrival, the number of well-known sportsmen playing padel—a sport that is becoming more and more popular throughout Europe and beyond—increases.
Xavi and Nadal’s meeting was more than just a friendly run-in; it was a celebration of how sport can bridge divides between neighborhoods, generations, and disciplines.