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Four-time Premier League winner and ex-Man United star announces retirement in emotional post - as 38-year-old admits it is 'time to turn a new leaf'

Nani also lifted the Champions League in an eight-year spell at Old Trafford

The skilful winger was instrumental in Portugal's Euro 2016 success in France

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By SAM LAWLEY

Published: 04:21 EST, 9 December 2024 | Updated: 04:23 EST, 9 December 2024

Former Manchester United winger Nani has confirmed his retirement after a glittering 19-year career in a heart-wrenching social media post to his fans.

The 38-year-old lifted the Premier League four times and the Champions League once for the Red Devils, all under Sir Alex Ferguson, before sealing a memorable Euro 2016 win with Portugal.

He had arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 aged 20, following in the footsteps of compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, and became a first team regular in his opening season.

The skilful wide man was present in the dying days of United's era of dominance and remained at the club as the reins were handed over from Sir Alex to David Moyes, before heading back to boyhood club Sporting for a loan spell in 2015.

Continuing to defy his age, Nani's trickery remained effective at the highest level and he enjoyed fruitful spells in Turkey with Fenerbahce, in Spain with Valencia, and in Italy with Lazio.

He has now called time on a remarkable career while back in his home country, having turned out for top-flight side Estrela Amadora 10 times this season, and announced the decision in an emotional post on X.

Nani has decided to hang up his boots aged 38, announcing the move in an emotional video

The winger turned out 230 games for Man United and won a hatful of trophies at the club

Nani (second-left) won Euro 2016 with his country, captaining the side for most of the final

In a video showing some of his greatest moments, he told his followers: 'As everyone knows, everything comes to an end and at this moment I've taken the time to make a very important decision of my professional life which is the decision to stop playing as a professional player.

'I'm, going to, as they say, hang up the boots but I do so with a sense of duty fulfilled, mission accomplished, as an athlete, as a team-mate, and as a professional.

'I believe it was a beautiful career, a career filled with many achievements and for that reason the time has come when it's important to make this decision.

'The opportunities that have come my way now indicate that I'm ready to move forward in these new paths. For instance, the academy I'm building here for young people where I'll be able to work alongside them and enjoy these wonderful moments.

'The difficult moments I've recently experienced like losing my father not long ago made me realise that I want to spend more time with my family, I want to make the most of my time with my wife, my children, my mother, my siblings, cousins, uncles and aunts. They also need me and I need to be with them because it's very important.

'I couldn't leave without sharing this message with you and thanking everyone who helped me achieve all my goals, all those titles, all those battles and overcome every obstacle that appeared in my path.

'Football has given me so much, it has brought me so many opportunities and I believe at this moment my duty is to give back everything football has given me. I now have a great opportunity to do so.

'So a big hug to everyone. Thank you and see you soon.'

He started his career at Sporting where he rose up through the youth ranks

Nani (pictured, with Anderson, left, and Bebe, centre) won the title four times with United

He roomed with Cristiano Ronaldo on arrival and won the Champions League with him in 2008

Nani was known for his speed, skills and sensational eye for a cross from out wide

He was there during the handing over the reins from Sir Alex Ferguson (centre) to David Moyes

He added a note next to the video, saying: '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. Teşekkürler.'

Born Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha, Nani was born in the Amadora area of Lisbon and joined the club's youth side in 2003 aged 16 from previous team Real Massama.

After 10 goals in 71 games for the Portuguese side, he was snapped up by United for £21million and lived with Ronaldo at the start of his stint in Manchester.

Within one season he was a Premier League and Champions League winner, playing 40 matches in all competitions in a campaign which saw him terrorise defences with his pace, skill and pinpoint crossing.

A substitute for Wayne Rooney in the final in Moscow, Nani scored a decisive fifth penalty as they beat Chelsea in a shoot-out.

After Ronaldo left for Real Madrid in 2009, the onus was on his compatriot, who had featured less in his second season, to become first choice on the wing.

He headed to Fenerbahce in 2015 and later played for fellow Turkish side Adana Demirspor

Nani played a pivotal role in Portugal's Euro 2016 win and scored a goal in the semi-final

He returned to Sporting once more in 2018 and won a double at his old club

He calls time on a 19-year career while playing for top-flight side Estrela Amadora (pictured: Nani leaving the field for the final time in away match against Sporting on November 1)

In the seasons that followed, Nani took his United goal tally to 41 from 230 games and clinched two more league titles, two League Cups and two English Super Cups. He picked up the players' player of the year award at the club in 2011 after 10 goals and 19 assists that campaign.

The winger was nominated for the Ballon d'Or at the end of 2011 and enjoyed another fine campaign as United narrowly missed out on the title to rivals Man City in the 2011-12 season.

After a couple of seasons struggling with form and injuries, Nani headed back to Sporting on loan and bagged 12 goals in 37 matches for his old side before being transferred to Fenerbahce in 2015.

It was on the back of a solid first season in Turkey that the Portuguese lit up Euro 2016, scoring a decisive strike in the group stage and contributing two assists in the next two rounds, as well as a vital penalty in the quarter-final.

After bagging the second goal in a 2-0 win over Wales in the semi-final, Nani captained Portugal to an unlikely victory in the final over hosts France after Ronaldo was forced off with an injury in the first half.

The wide man then travelled around regularly for the remaining eight years of his career, lifting a Portuguese League and League Cup double in 2019 for Sporting before jetting off to the US with Orlando, Australia with Melbourne Victory and back to Turkey with Adana Demirspor.

Nani finishes a sensational career with 128 goals and 145 assists in 616 club matches. He is fifth in Portugal's all-time appearances list, playing 112 games and scoring 24 times.

Many of his goals were celebrated with an acrobatic somersault celebration which Sir Alex reportedly banned. Nani later rubbished these claims.

The winger has vowed to continue his work bringing on young footballers in Portugal and to spend more time with his family including wife Daniela Martins and son Lucas, who signed for Sporting youth last year.

Manchester UnitedNani

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