Former Manchester United star Nani has announced his retirement from football after a 19-year career.
Nani has declared his playing career over, following a recent stint in Portugal with Estrela Amadora.
It means Nani’s final career game was his recent appearance as a substitute in his team’s 5-1 loss to Sporting on November 1, when Ruben Amorim was still in charge.
Nani was a substitute in the following game, before being given time out to consider his future. His final season ends with nine games played and one goal scored.
New signing Luis Nani of CF Estrela da Amadora celebrates after scoring a goal during the Liga Portugal Betclic match between CF Estrela da Amadora...
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Nani retirement message
Nani posted a video to his social media channels accompanied by a message, explaining he had now come to the right time to quit his playing career.
The winger wrote: “The time has come to say goodbye, I have decided to finish my career as a professional player.
“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!
“Obrigado. Thank you. Gracias. Grazie. Teşekkürle.”
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Nani was a Manchester United highlight reel
Nani began his playing career in 2005 for Sporting and earned a move to Manchester United in 2007, where he enjoyed a productive debut season.
While ostensibly signed as a back-up to Cristiano Ronaldo, he quickly proved capable of delivering in his own right, scoring a thumbing long-range winner against Tottenham.
Nani ended the 2007/08 season as a Premier League winner and Champions League winner, scoring a penalty in the 2008 shootout in Moscow against Chelsea.
After Ronaldo’s exit, Nani began to look like he might be capable of really stepping up, particularly effective in the 2010/11 season – but he then could not quite build on it.
He was one of the players who should have been in his prime when Sir Alex Ferguson retired, but saw his form go backwards, and he was later sold under Louis van Gaal.
Post-Manchester United
Nani left Manchester United in 2015 to sign with Fenerbahce, and he has enjoyed a nomadic career since.
His subsequent clubs have included Valencia, Lazio, Sporting, Orlando City, Venezia, Melbourne Victory, Adana Demirspor, and Estrela Amadora.
With his career taking in the US, Australia, and half of Europe, Nani has done well to extend his playing career to 38.
He retires as a four-times Premier League winner, Champions League winner, and Euro 2016 champion with Portugal.
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