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Former Manchester United and Portugal winger Nani announced retirement from professional football at the age of 38, on Sunday, December 8. Nani, who won four Premier League titles and two League Cups, joined United in 2007 and has made 230 appearances, scoring 41 goals. He won the Champions League in his debut season and went on to win four Premier League crowns and two League Cups over the next eight seasons. After winning four Premier League titles and 112 caps for Portugal, Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha, also known as Nani finally bid an emotional farewell with a note on his Instagram account.
“The time has come to say goodbye, I have decided to finish my career as a professional player,” Nani wrote. “It’s been an amazing ride, and I wanted to thank every single person who has helped me and supported me through the highs and lows during a career which lasted over 20 years and gave me so many unforgettable memories. Time to turn a new leaf and focus on new goals and dreams. See you soon!” he added.
Nani ends two-decade long football career with six titles
The 38-year-old winger Nani started his career at Sporting CP before being hired by renowned former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2007. He departed to join Fenerbahçe permanently in 2015. Nani played for ten different clubs throughout his 19-year career, including stops in Turkey, Spain, and the United States. He signed for Estrela Amadora, the team from his birth neighbourhood at the beginning of 2024.
His last professional appearance was for his hometown club Estrela Amadora, in the Primeira Liga, where he finished his career against his former club, Sporting CP last month. Nani's extensive career included appearances for clubs such as Valencia, Lazio, Venezia, Orlando City, Melbourne Victory, and Adana Demirspor.
For Portugal, Nani scored 130 goals in more than 620 matches and was also part of the team that was successful in securing the European Championship title in 2016. Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani had some great collaboration matches where they won six major titles together while playing for Manchester United and Portugal. While at the English club, they won two Premier League titles (2007/08 and 2008/09), followed by the 2009 League Cup, the 2008 FA Community Shield, the historic 2007/08 UEFA Champions League, and the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup.
