A wave of emotion swept through the world of sport and beyond: Rafael Nadal’s wife, María Francisca Perelló, was heartbroken after the sudden loss of their beloved dog, Roscoe, a 9-year-old golden retriever who was the joy of the family. In an emotional interview with El País , Nadal, 39, shared his own pain while revealing how he turned his grief into a spectacular act of generosity: opening a €5 million shelter for stray dogs in Manacor, Mallorca. “I saw María collapse, and I wanted to honor Roscoe by saving more lives,” he said, his eyes moist. This millionaire gesture, unveiled with a total sum that left everyone speechless in awe, brought fans to tears 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 ). María, 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 euros – a colossal sum from his earnings and partnerships with Nike and Kia ( web:2 ) – to create the “Roscoe Refuge”, a 10,000 m² centre dedicated to the sterilisation, 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 a chance to these forgotten souls,” explained Nadal, holding 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 María petting an adopted dog has accumulated 3 million views, reaching 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, funded without subsidies, has stunned even his peers. Carlos Alcaraz tweeted: “Rafa, you are an inspiration beyond the courts,” while Roger Federer hailed: “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 are in turmoil. L’Équipe headlines “Nadal: from Roland-Garros to the Refuge des Âmes,” and Marca exclaims “5 million for love!” On X, petitions for a “Roscoe Day” are circulating, and Spanish shelters are reporting a 30% increase in adoptions ( web:8 ). María, moved, 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, he has not only saved canine lives but also warmed millions of hearts. Fans, in tears of admiration, wonder: What other miracle will he perform? The answer barks through the halls of the Roscoe Shelter.
