At 11:30 local time, a wave of emotion swept through the sports world and beyond: Rafael Nadal’s wife, María Francisca Perelló, was heartbroken after the sudden loss of her beloved dog, Roscoe, a 9-year-old golden retriever who was the joy of the family. In an emotional interview withThe CountryNadal, 39, shared his own pain and revealed how he turned his pain into a spectacular act of generosity: opening a €5 million shelter for stray dogs in Manacor, Mallorca. “I saw Maria collapse and I wanted to honor Roscoe by saving more lives,” he said, his eyes wet. This million-dollar gesture, unveiled with a total sum that left everyone speechless in amazement, made fans cry and shocked the sports world, redefining the image of the “King of Clay” as a compassionate hero.
The story began two weeks ago when Roscoe, adopted by the couple in 2016, succumbed to sudden heart failure (web:0). Maria, 41, director of the Rafa Nadal Foundation since 2010, shared a photo of the dog on Instagram with the caption: “My heart is empty without you, Roscoe.” Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 at Roland Garros (web:1), described the dark days that followed: “Roscoe was our pillar, he welcomed the children [Rafael Jr., 2, and María, 1] with so much joy. Losing that broke us.” But instead of letting sadness consume him, he took action. Together with Maria, he invested €5 million, a colossal sum from his earnings and his partnerships with Nike and Kia (web:2) – create the “Roscoe Shelter”, a 10,000 m² center dedicated to the sterilization, adoption and care of stray dogs in Mallorca, a region where abandonment is a scourge (web:3 ).
The shelter, inaugurated this morning in the presence of 200 volunteers, already houses 150 dogs and plans to save 1,000 by 2026. “I spent this amount to honor Roscoe and give these forgotten souls a chance,” explained Nadal, with a puppy in his arms during the ceremony. The news went viral on social media, where #NadalRefuge and #RoscoeLegacy exploded with messages like “Rafa, you are an angel!” and “These tears are for Roscoe and you” (web:4). On X, a video of Maria petting an adopted dog has racked up 3 million views and reached fans around the world.
This gesture goes beyond sport. Nadal, retired since 2024 after a career marked by injuries (web:5), has always supported causes through his foundation, which has helped 800,000 children (web:6). But this personal initiative, financed without subsidies, has surprised even his peers. Carlos Alcaraz tweeted: “Rafa, you are an inspiration beyond the courts,” while Roger Federer greeted: “A champion of the heart.” Sponsors such as Kia have pledged additional donations and the ATP is considering a campaign for animals (web:7 ).
The media is in an uproar.The teamheadlines “Nadal: from Roland-Garros to the Refuge des Âmes” andMarkexclaims “5 million for love!” On X Day, petitions circulate for a “Roscoe Day” and Spanish shelters report a 30% increase in adoptions (web:8). María, excited, added: “Roscoe taught us unconditional love and Rafa turned it into action.”
This moment transcends loss. At 11:30, Nadal’s words (“I saw Maria collapse and I wanted to honor Roscoe”) resonate like a hymn to resilience. With 5 million euros, it has not only saved canine lives but has also warmed millions of hearts. Fans, through tears of admiration, wonder: What other miracle will he perform? The answer barks through the halls of the Roscoe Shelter.
