View source for Miguel Ángel Nadal

{{short description|Spanish footballer}}
{{family name hatnote|Nadal|Homar|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Miguel Ángel Nadal
| image = Miguel Angel Nadal in 2016.jpg
| upright = 
| caption = Nadal in 2016
| full_name = Miguel Ángel Nadal Homar<ref name=Bio>{{cite news|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/envivos/fichas/1/219/219.html|title=Miguel Angel NADAL Homar|newspaper=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]|language=es|access-date=28 May 2022}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|7|28|df=y}}<ref name=Bio/>
| birth_place = [[Manacor]], Spain<ref name=Bio/>
| height = 1.87 m<ref name=Bio/>
| position = [[Defender (association football)|Defender]], [[midfielder]]
| youthyears1 = 1980–1983 | youthclubs1 = [[CD Manacor|Manacor]]
| years1 = 1983–1986 | clubs1 = [[CD Manacor|Manacor]] | caps1 = 61 | goals1 = 13
| years2 = 1986–1987 | clubs2 = [[RCD Mallorca B|Mallorca B]] | caps2 = 20 | goals2 = 1
| years3 = 1987–1991 | clubs3 = [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] | caps3 = 130 | goals3 = 22
| years4 = 1991–1999 | clubs4 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] | caps4 = 208 | goals4 = 13
| years5 = 1999–2005 | clubs5 = [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] | caps5 = 155 | goals5 = 6
| totalcaps = 574 | totalgoals = 55
| nationalyears1 = 1991–2002 | nationalteam1 = [[Spain national football team|Spain]] | nationalcaps1 = 62 | nationalgoals1= 3
| nationalyears2 = 2002 | nationalteam2 = [[Balearic Islands autonomous football team|Balearic Islands]] | nationalcaps2 = 1 | nationalgoals2= 0
| manageryears1 = 2010–2011 | managerclubs1 = [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] (assistant)
| manageryears2 = 2011 | managerclubs2 = [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] (caretaker)
}}
{{IPA notice}}
'''Miguel Ángel Nadal Homar''' ({{IPA|es|miˈɣel ˈaŋxel naˈðal oˈmaɾ}}, {{langx|ca|Miquel Àngel Nadal Homar}}; born 28 July 1966) is a Spanish retired professional [[association football|footballer]] who played as a versatile [[defender (association football)|defender]] and [[midfielder]].

He began and ended his career with [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]], but his greatest achievements came whilst at [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] during the so-called ''[[FC Barcelona#Dream Team|Dream Team]]'' era, winning numerous domestic and continental titles. Over 19 professional seasons, he played 493 matches (463 of those in [[La Liga]]).

A part of the [[Spain national football team|Spain national team]]'s setup during the 1990s and early 2000s, Nadal represented the nation in three [[FIFA World Cup|World Cups]] and [[UEFA Euro 1996|Euro 1996]].

==Club career==
Born in [[Manacor]], [[Mallorca]], [[Balearic Islands]], Nadal made his debut in [[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 [[1988–89 Segunda División|1989 promotion]] from [[Segunda División]], he scored 12 goals from 72 league appearances, thus being signed by the [[Catalonia]] club for the [[1991–92 La Liga|1991–92 campaign]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rcdm.es/jugadores-de-ayer-y-de-hoy-miguel-angel-nadal/|title=Jugadores de ayer y de hoy: Miguel Ángel Nadal|trans-title=Players from yesterday and today: Miguel Ángel Nadal|publisher=RCDM|first=Damià|last=Busquets|language=es|date=18 February 2009|access-date=21 March 2014}}</ref>

With ''Barça'', under [[Johan Cruyff]], Nadal was a very important part as they won five leagues, two [[Copa del Rey]] and the [[1991–92 European Cup|1992 European Cup]], playing 297 overall games and occupying several defensive positions in both the back-four and in midfield. In his last year, however, ostracised by another Dutch coach, [[Louis van Gaal]], he only totalled five matches;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/1999/06/12/deportes/929138402_850215.html|title=El Barça notifica a Giovanni que no seguirá|trans-title=Barça notify Giovanni he will not continue|newspaper=[[El País]]|first=Àngels|last=Piñol|language=es|date=12 June 1999|access-date=7 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/1999/julio/22/deportes/vangaal.html|title=Van Gaal seguirá hasta el año 2002|trans-title=Van Gaal will continue until year 2002|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=22 July 1999|access-date=7 March 2024}}</ref> in 1996 and 1997 he was linked with a transfer to [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], but the move to the [[Premier League]] never materialised.<ref name=BEAST>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/11/europeanfootball.sport|title=The beauty of the beast|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=11 September 2001|access-date=11 May 2010}}</ref>

Nadal returned to Mallorca subsequently, starting most of the time and also winning the [[2002–03 Copa del Rey|2003 Spanish Cup]] after beating [[Recreativo de Huelva]].<ref name=COPA>{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/2003/06/29/deportes/1056837603_850215.html|title=Eto'o pone Mallorca a brindar|trans-title=Eto'o has Mallorca toasting|newspaper=El País|first=José|last=Miguelez|language=es|date=29 June 2003|access-date=5 April 2016}}</ref> He retired aged 38, with 645 competitive appearances to his credit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cadenaser.com/ser/2005/03/04/deportes/1109896096_850215.html|title=Miguel Angel Nadal anunció este viernes su retirada|trans-title=Miguel Angel Nadal announced retirement this Friday|publisher=[[Cadena SER]]|language=es|date=4 March 2005|access-date=28 May 2022}}</ref>

In July 2010, five years after his retirement, Nadal returned to Mallorca, joining the coaching staff under [[Michael Laudrup]], his Barcelona teammate for three seasons. As the [[Denmark|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/10/10/futbol/equipos/mallorca/1318240186.html|title=Miguel Ángel Nadal hace oficial su marcha del Mallorca|trans-title=Miguel Ángel Nadal makes departure from Mallorca official|newspaper=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|language=es|date=10 October 2011|access-date=21 March 2014}}</ref>

==International career==
Nadal earned 62 [[Cap (sport)|caps]] for [[Spain national football team|Spain]],<ref name=RSSSF>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/nadal-intl.html|title=Miguel Ángel Nadal Homar – International Matches|website=[[RSSSF]]|first=Emilio|last=Pla Díaz|access-date=10 September 2014}}</ref> his debut coming on 13 November 1991 in a [[UEFA Euro 1992]] [[UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying|qualifier]] dead rubber against [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]] (the national team had virtually no chances of reaching the finals in [[Sweden]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1991/11/14/pagina-3/1243555/pdf.html|title=España, de penalty y regalado|trans-title=Spain, from a gifted penalty|newspaper=[[Mundo Deportivo]]|first=Rogelio|last=Román|language=es|date=14 November 1991|access-date=21 March 2014}}</ref> He went on to represent the country in three [[FIFA World Cup]]s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.libertaddigital.com/deportes/miguel-angel-nadal-anuncia-su-retirada-tras-dieciocho-temporadas-en-la-elite-del-futbol-espanol-1276245758/|title=Miguel Ángel Nadal anuncia su retirada tras dieciocho temporadas en la elite del fútbol español|trans-title=Miguel Ángel Nadal announces his retirement after eighteen seasons in Spanish football's elite|newspaper=[[Libertad Digital]]|language=es|date=4 March 2005|access-date=7 March 2024}}</ref>

Additionally, Nadal missed a [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] at [[Wembley Stadium]] against [[England national football team|England]], in a [[UEFA Euro 1996|Euro 1996]] [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|shootout]] loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7b2e225f36-5c4b809df8fa-1000--hosts-england-reach-euro-96-semis-with-shoot-out-defeat-of-/|title=Hosts England first team into last four|publisher=UEFA|date=6 October 2003|access-date=21 March 2014}}</ref> After appearing in four complete matches at the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]], at almost 36, he retired from the international scene.<ref name=RSSSF/>

Nadal also featured once for the [[Balearic Islands autonomous football team|Balearic Islands regional team]], in a friendly with [[Malta national football team|Malta]] held at [[Visit Mallorca Stadium|Son Moix]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD03/PUB/2002/12/29/EMD20021229007MDP.pdf|title=0–2: Baleares cae ante Malta|trans-title=0–2: Balearic Islands fall to Malta|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Àngel|last=Aguiló|language=es|date=29 December 2002|access-date=14 January 2020}}</ref>

==Style of play==
A versatile player, Nadal was capable of playing either as a defender or midfielder; nicknamed ''The Beast'', he based his game on physical display.<ref name=BEAST/> He was also known for his strong aerial game and tactical sense.<ref name=FCB>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/barca-legends/players/1053803/nadal|title=Control on the ground and in the air|publisher=FC Barcelona|access-date=17 May 2021}}</ref>

In 2007, ''[[The Times]]'' placed Nadal at number 47 in their list of the 50 hardest footballers in history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/forum/printable.asp?m=1554851|title=Top 50 hardest footballers|publisher=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date=13 August 2007|access-date=23 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019002225/http://www.empireonline.com/forum/printable.asp?m=1554851|archive-date=19 October 2015}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Nadal is the paternal uncle of professional [[tennis]] player [[Rafael Nadal]], whilst his brother [[Toni Nadal|Toni]] was Rafael's coach.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/2005/07/17/deportes/1121551213_850215.html|title=Rafa Nadal también golea|trans-title=Rafa Nadal also scores|newspaper=El País|first=Manu|last=Menéndez|language=es|date=17 July 2005|access-date=21 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.diariosur.es/agencias/20110913/deportes/mas-deportes/miquel-angel-nadal-dice-derrota_201109131933.html|title=Miquel Ángel Nadal dice que la derrota "ha dignificado a Rafa"|trans-title=Miquel Ángel Nadal says defeat "has dignified Rafa"|newspaper=[[Diario Sur]]|language=es|date=13 September 2011|access-date=21 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519151112/http://www.diariosur.es/agencias/20110913/deportes/mas-deportes/miquel-angel-nadal-dice-derrota_201109131933.html|archive-date=19 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/fanguide/athlete?athlete=72811|title=Rafael Nadal|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=16 March 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080817135338/http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/fanguide/athlete?athlete=72811|archive-date=17 August 2008}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
:''Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nadal goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Miguel Ángel Nadal
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition<ref name=RSSSF/>
|-
| align="center"|1 || 16 November 1994 || [[Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium|Sánchez Pizjuán]], [[Seville]], Spain || {{fb|DEN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || [[UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying Group 2|Euro 1996 qualifying]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 30 November 1994 || [[Estadio La Rosaleda|La Rosaleda]], [[Málaga]], Spain || {{fb|FIN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|3 || 5 September 2001 || [[Rheinpark Stadion|Rheinpark]], [[Vaduz]], Liechtenstein || {{fb|LIE}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)#Group 7|2002 World Cup qualification]]
|}

==Honours==
'''Barcelona'''
*[[La Liga]]: [[1991–92 La Liga|1991–92]], [[1992–93 La Liga|1992–93]], [[1993–94 La Liga|1993–94]], [[1997–98 La Liga|1997–98]], [[1998–99 La Liga|1998–99]]<ref name=FCB/>
*[[Copa del Rey]]: [[1996–97 Copa del Rey|1996–97]], [[1997–98 Copa del Rey|1997–98]]<ref name=FCB/>
*[[Supercopa de España]]: [[1991 Supercopa de España|1991]], [[1992 Supercopa de España|1992]], [[1994 Supercopa de España|1994]], [[1996 Supercopa de España|1996]]<ref name=FCB/>
*[[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]]: [[1991–92 European Cup|1991–92]]<ref name=FCB/>
*[[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]: [[1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|1996–97]]<ref name=FCB/>
*[[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[1992 European Super Cup|1992]], [[1997 UEFA Super Cup|1997]]<ref name=FCB/>

'''Mallorca'''
*Copa del Rey: [[2002–03 Copa del Rey|2002–03]]<ref name=COPA/>

==See also==
*[[List of FC Barcelona players]] (100+ appearances)
*[[List of La Liga players]] (400+ appearances)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{BDFutbol|2045}}
*{{NFT player|14108}}
*{{FIFA player|77908}}

{{Navboxes
|title = Spain squads
|bg = #db000d
|fg = #fbea0e
|list1 =
{{Spain squad 1994 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Spain squad UEFA Euro 1996}}
{{Spain squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Spain squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{RCD Mallorca managers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nadal, Miguel Angel}}
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Manacor]]
[[Category:20th-century Spanish sportsmen]]
[[Category:Spanish men's footballers]]
[[Category:Footballers from Mallorca]]
[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Men's association football utility players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Segunda División players]]
[[Category:Segunda División B players]]
[[Category:Tercera División players]]
[[Category:RCD Mallorca B players]]
[[Category:RCD Mallorca players]]
[[Category:FC Barcelona players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:Spain men's international footballers]]
[[Category:1994 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1996 players]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2002 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:Spanish football managers]]
[[Category:La Liga managers]]
[[Category:RCD Mallorca managers]]