Nani has retired at the age of 38
Portuguese football star Nani – who won four Premier League titles and one Champions League with Manchester United, as well as the Euro 2016 with Portugal – has announced his retirement from professional football.
“**The time has come to say goodbye,**” the 38-year-old said in an announcement on his social media pages. “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.”
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… pic.twitter.com/3ZuSMrPHcR
— Nani (@luisnani) December 8, 2024
“Time to turn a new leaf and focus on new goals and dreams. See you soon,” Nani added.
Luís Carlos da Almeida Cunha, known in the footballing world as Nani, was one of the most successful Portuguese footballers of his generation. He made himself known at Sporting CP, playing two seasons with the Lions before being signed by Manchester United for €25.5 million in 2007. In his first season under the command of Sir Alex Fergunson, Nani won the UEFA Champions League alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and went on to win four Premier League titles, playing for seven full seasons in Manchester.
He was then loaned to Sporting CP in 2014 before beginning his tour of the world, playing for Fenerbahçe (Turkey), Valencia (Spain), Lazio (Italy), Sporting CP once again, Orlando City (USA), Venezia (Italy), Melbourne Victory (Australia) and Adana Demispor (Turkey).
Nani was currently playing for Estrela da Amadora, the team from the neighbourhood where he was born and grew up. His last game was played on November 1 against Sporting CP. The death of his father around one month ago, along with other personal issues, are said to have played into his decision to retire in the middle of the season.
Famous for his acrobatic goal celebrations, Nani will also be remembered as one of the stars of Portugal’s Euro 2016-winning squad. He has retired as Portugal’s fifth highest-capped player, with 112 matches, 24 goals and 23 assists.
The president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Fernando Gomes, has expressed his “deep gratitude” to Nani and everything he gave Portuguese football.
“At this moment of farewell, I want to express my deep gratitude to Nani for everything he has done for Portuguese football,” reads Gomes’s message, published by the FPF on the organisation’s official website. “I wish him all the best for what lies ahead.”
The FPF president’s message recalls that Nani “was not only a player of excellence, but also a model of perseverance, inspiring generations of young athletes in Portugal and around the world.
“Over more than a decade, Nani not only represented our national team with great pride and dedication, but also became a reference for all football fans in Portugal,” he said.
Manchester United has also paid tribute to the now retired footballer on its X page.
A player we fell head over heels for.
Enjoy your retirement, @LuisNani ❤️#MUFC pic.twitter.com/gs9dVFTJLI
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 9, 2024
“A player we fell head over heels for. Enjoy your retirement,” the club wrote as a caption to a photo of one of Nani’s acrobatic goal celebrations.
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