Name Miguel Nadal Years Team Weight 83 kg | Height 1.88 m Role Footballer Nieces Maria Isabel Nadal | |
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Full name Miguel Angel Nadal Homar Date of birth (1966-07-28) 28 July 1966 (age 49) Siblings Toni Nadal, Sebastian Nadal Similar People Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal, Albert Ferrer, Miquel Soler, Jose Mari Bakero | ||
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'El TOP 5 de una vida', por Jaime Collazos - Miguel Ángel Nadal
Miguel Ángel Nadal Homar ([miˈɣel ˈaŋxel naˈðal oˈmar]; born 28 July 1966) is a Spanish retired footballer. Nicknamed The Beast, he based his game in a tremendous physical display, also being adaptable to various defender and midfielder positions.
Contents
- El TOP 5 de una vida por Jaime Collazos Miguel ngel Nadal
- Rafa nadal at 3 years with this uncle miguel ngel nadal
- Club career
- International career
- Personal life
- Honours
- References
He began and ended his career with Mallorca, but his greatest achievements came whilst at Barcelona during the so-called Dream Team era. During 19 professional seasons, he played in 492 matches (462 of those in La Liga).
A very important part of Spain's setup during the 1990s, Nadal represented the nation in three World Cups and at Euro 1996. In 2007, The Times placed him at number 47 in their list of the 50 hardest footballers in history.
Rafa nadal at 3 years with this uncle miguel ngel nadal
Club career
Born in Manacor, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Nadal made his debuts in the La Liga with local RCD Mallorca, first appearing on 19 April 1987 against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou. In his final two seasons, after helping in a 1989 promotion from Segunda División, he scored 12 goals from 72 league appearances, thus being acquired by the Catalonia club for the 1991–92 campaign.
With Barça, under Johan Cruyff, Nadal was a very important part in the conquest of five leagues, two Copa del Rey and the 1992 European Cup, playing in over 300 overall games and occupying several defensive positions in both the back-four and in midfield. In his last year, however, ostracized by another Dutch coach, Louis van Gaal, he only appeared in two matches; in 1996 and 1997 he was linked with a transfer to Manchester United, but the move to the Premier League never materialized.
Subsequently Nadal returned to Mallorca, starting strong and only missing 11 contests in his first three seasons combined, while also being important in the 2003 domestic cup conquest. He retired from the game at almost 39, having appeared in nearly 700 official matches.
In July 2010, five years after his retirement, Nadal returned to Mallorca, joining the coaching staff under Michael Laudrup, his Barcelona teammate during three seasons. As the Dane left the club in late September 2011 following a run-in with director Lorenzo Serra Ferrer, Nadal was in charge for one game, a 2–2 away draw against CA Osasuna, but he too left the following week.
International career
Nadal earned 62 caps representing Spain, his debut coming on 13 November 1991 in a UEFA Euro 1992 qualifier dead rubber against Czechoslovakia (the national team had virtually no chances of reaching the finals in Sweden). He went on to appear with the country in three FIFA World Cups.
Additionally, Nadal missed a penalty at Wembley Stadium against England, in a Euro 1996 shootout loss. After appearing in four complete matches at the 2002 World Cup, at almost 36, he retired from the international scene.
Personal life
Nadal is the paternal uncle of professional tennis player Rafael Nadal, who ranked #1 for several years, whilst his brother Toni is Rafael's coach.