Rafael Nadal bestowed with Marca’s “Legend Award”

World number one Rafael Nadal has been giving with the “Legend Award” during Marca’s silver anniversary gala party in Madrid, Spain on Tuesday. The tennis superstar was selected by the readers of the sports daily as the best Spanish athlete of all time.

Nadal spoke in front of important guests, including other Spanish sporting greats such as four-time Grand Slam titlist Manuel Santana.

“I would like to thank everyone behind me and all those who aren’t here tonight because as well as tennis, I’m mad about sport in general,” he said. “I have had some unforgettable afternoons thanks to all those who have taken Spain to the highest level in sport. Thank you so much because that excitement is what makes sport feel different.”

Nadal received 25.6 percent of all of the votes cast at the Marca.com poll. The sports daily has just celebrated its 75th anniversary. In second place was five-time Tour de France titlist Miguel Indurain (11.6 percent) and in thid was NBA player Pau Gasol (8.6 percent).

Gasol sent a congratulatory video message to his compatriot: “I want to send a special tribute to my friend Rafa for winning this 75th Anniversary MARCA ‘Leyenda’ award,” he said. “Congratulations, enjoy it, you’re the best.”

Gasol was among the many sports athletes who watched the all-Spanish final between Nadal and third-ranked David Ferrer at the French Open earlier this year.