Rafael Nadal criticises Catalan independence ambitions

World number one, Rafael Nadal has criticised plans for an independence referendum called by Catalonia’s pro-separatist government for October 1. Spain’s government & its constitutional courts have deemed the referendum illegal. Nadal bared his mind to Spanish newspaper El-Mundo, on this very controversial subject. He said, The laws are what they are and one can’t skip the laws because you want to skip them. I can’t run a red light because that traffic light doesn’t seem right to me. I feel very close to the Catalans and I feel very Spanish as well.”

He also added, “I don’t understand Spain without Catalonia. I don’t want to understand or see it. “I believe that together we ought to be able to understand each other and I think we have to make an effort to reach an understanding because I think we are, without any doubt, stronger together than separated. “Spain is better with Catalonia and Catalonia is better with Spain from my point of view.”