"We're ready to play doubles": Javier Milei's meeting with Rafa Nadal, Nalbandian and Carlos Moyá in Miami

The door to a small room opened, and former tennis player Rafael Nadal walked in. The former world number one greeted President Javier Milei as he walked toward him. It was in Miami, just before the head of state was scheduled to speak at the American Business Forum . "I can't believe it," the Argentine president exclaimed at the start of a brief meeting with Nadal, fellow Spanish tennis player Carlos Moyá (also a former world number one), and Argentine David Nalbandian .

Alongside Milei was his sister and right-hand woman in the libertarian government, Karina, who in turn was accompanied by Ignacio González Castro, CEO of the organization that hosted the event, which also featured speeches by US President Donald Trump and the captain of the Argentine national football team, Lionel Messi. Francis Suarez, mayor of the "magical city," completed the list of prominent figures in this small space.

González Castro , a tennis fanatic, was the one who interviewed Nadal, who also made his own appearance at the forum. He acted as liaison and moderator at the beginning of the impromptu meeting in the locker rooms.

Further away from the center of the stage appeared Economy Minister Luis Caputo, alongside Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno. But all eyes were on the exchange between Nadal and Milei. The center court belonged to them.

"Hey Rafa! How are you? What an honor!" the President exclaimed enthusiastically, embracing the former world number one. Meanwhile, the Spaniard shook hands with Caputo, Quirno, and Suarez. Then he greeted Karina. "Nice to meet you," he said.

Moments later, behind Nadal, in the video that recorded the whole scene, Moyá and Nalbandian entered, also complying with the protocol of friendly greetings.

"How are you, Carlos?" Milei also said with a big smile. A sort of circle formed so everyone could participate in the meeting, and it was Nalbandian who asked the President, "How are you?"

"Fantastic," the president responded milliseconds before González Castro joked, "We're ready to play a doubles match." The locker room erupted in laughter, like the applause after a point, until Karina Milei chimed in with a smile, "We'll watch."

"I would just watch. I would just admire," Javier Milei emphasized in the presence of the three former tennis players who, during the last few decades, were protagonists of the professional circuit.

"Each of us does what we know," Nalbandian added. "I do other things," Milei replied. Everyone, always, smiling and friendly.

Then, when asked, the President said that he arrived "last night" from Argentina and that he spent long hours, including on Thursday during his presentation at the American Business Forum, working on his government management.

In the background, Caputo sampled some food from the catering service, while the CEO of the organization asked the President about the recent legislative elections in Argentina on October 26.

"It was a pivotal moment in shaping our course," Milei said to the attentive audience. He explained that "the new makeup of Congress will allow us to move forward with the reforms" and that "Congress will no longer be blocking them."

"Then," he added, "we can accelerate much more in what we have to do."

Suarez responded to the remark, made in a very serious tone, with a joke. Other comments filled the moment until another man approached to announce that it was time to go on stage and present.

Before heading towards the corridors and out onto the court, there were plenty of photos with the President giving a thumbs up and another cordial greeting, this time a farewell with Nadal, who this time, said goodbye with a kiss to the Secretary General of the Presidency.

Upon taking the stage at the American Business Forum, Milei thanked the organizers for the invitation and said it was "an honor to be surrounded by such prominent figures."

First, he named Trump, "a friend both personally and of the Republic of Argentina." Next on his list was Messi, who was interviewed at the event on Wednesday and spoke about his life and future as a businessman, admitting that his career as a professional footballer is nearing its end.

"I am also happy to be able to share the stage with one of our most illustrious athletes and a source of pride for all Argentinians, Lionel Messi ," he began, referring to the Inter Miami number 10.

Following the ovation that greeted the Rosario native's name, the President continued: "A man who took Argentine talent to the highest levels in the world. Living proof that effort, dedication, and passion can create miracles."

He paused briefly and punctuated the moment with a joke: "And proof that sometimes I can congratulate a left-hander too." The joke was met with laughter and gave Milei the opening to begin his speech.

During his tenure, which began in December 2023, he and some of his officials had already received criticism for avoiding mentioning Diego Maradona, for example, on Left-Handers Day or on the Central Bank coin commemorating the 2-1 victory against England in Mexico '86.

For the libertarian government, "leftists" represent the enemy. For his part, the current number 10 leftist, throughout his career, has chosen not to be associated with the political class or express personal preferences regarding any particular political affiliation.