Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha (born 17 November 1986), commonly known as Nani, is a Portuguese footballer currently playing as a winger for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and the Portugal national team. Although predominantly right-footed, he has been utilised on the left-wing on many occasions and was compared to compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo during his move to England.
Nani was born in Cape Verde and emigrated to Europe with his family at an early age. He was raised in Portugal and began his football career playing for local side Real Massamá. At the age of 16, he began training with Sporting CP and Benfica on alternate days, eventually joining Sporting's youth squad after they offered him pre-season training. In 2005, he made his professional debut with the club and won the Portuguese Cup during his second season with them. Nani was named the SJPF Young Player of the Month for May 2007 and his performances with Sporting culminated into a move to English club side Manchester United in July 2007 for a fee of €25.5 million. Nani won the Community Shield on his competitive debut at the club and has since added a number of trophies which included the Premier League and Champions League during his debut season at the club. He has established himself as first-choice winger at Manchester United and has won a further Premier League title, the Football League Cup, one FIFA Club World Cup, and three Community Shield titles. Individually, Nani has been included into the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Premier League Team of the Year on one occasion and was a nominee for the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2011.
The accolade was certainly deserved. Nani's goals and assists (a league-high 18 for the season) played a huge role in propelling United towards a record 19th title and for much of the campaign it was he the United players turned to in times of trouble. His influence
was also noted away from Old Trafford, as he was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
It is true, though, that it wasn't until Nani's countryman left for pastures new that the Reds' no.17 really began to fulfil his potential and step out of Ronaldo's shadow. The 2009/10 campaign, the season after Cristiano joined Real Madrid, was meant to be the moment Nani stepped to the fore. But his sporadic involvement, partly due to injury, in the first half of the season led many outside the club to speculate about his future at Old Trafford.
Nevertheless, Nani returned to action in January 2010 and
put together a string of hugely impressive displays - and chipped in with some vital goals - to win over fans and pundit alike and partly reward the faith Sir Alex had shown in him. The United boss highlighted an increased maturity in the Reds' no.17 and his blossoming personality.
Having not long turned 23, it seemed fair to suggest that the inconsistency that at times frustrated fans earlier in his career was a by-product of youth.
It's important to note that Nani is an all-together different player to Ronaldo. He is an out-and-out winger, his major strength being his ability to cross the ball into
dangerous areas - at which it can be said he outshines his former team-mate - whereas Ronaldo was more a marauding forward, intent on scoring goals rather than making them.
Another valuable asset is his versatility. He can play on either flank, although his crossing remains most effective when he operates on the right wing, and he has the skill, pace and shooting power to be a threat when cutting back infield.
Nani is also capable of explosive bursts of brilliance and spectacular goals that have proven well worthy of his equally extravagant backflip celebrations. Old Trafford got its first glimpse
of Nani's acrobatics when he scored his first Reds goal against Tottenham in August 2007, and followed that with goals against Middlesbrough, Arsenal and – the goal that perhaps most endeared him to fans early in his career – a great strike in the 3-0 win over Liverpool at OT in March 2008.
It seems now that he is living up to the early promise of his debut campaign. The challenge remains to do it on a consistent basis. But after signing a new contract in March 2010 that keeps him at the club until June 2014, he has the platform to do it. Potential is still the keyword: as Sir Alex points out, Nani is not yet a finished
product - but he's getting there. "Nani is an emerging talent within the team and has developed tremendously since joining the club," says the boss.
With his team mates in changing room after FA comunity shield success 2011.
The player himself still feels he is learning his trade - and what better place to do it? "The coaching staff have taught me so much about the game and I'm playing alongside some of the best players in the world," he said upon penning his four-year deal in 2010. "I'm looking forward to winning many more trophies with this team.”
Nani is also a Portugal international. Prior to playing at senior level, he played at under-21 level. He made his senior international debut in Portugal debut in September 2006 in a friendly match against Denmark and scored his first international goal during the 4–2 defeat in Copenhagen. Since his debut, he has made 46 appearances and scored 9 goals for Portugal.
Wasalaam,
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