Inbetween the odd acrobatic celebration, what Luis Nani did best was that he managed to get bums off seats. Most notable for his stint at Manchester United, the tricky winger made in excess of 700 appearances throughout his senior career – and, as a result, played alongside a throng of top, top players.
Emerging as a prodigious talent at Sporting CP, he moved to Old Trafford in 2007 – four years after Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival – and became a serial winner under Sir Alex Ferguson’s wing. He’s also plied his trade for Valencia, Fenerbahce and Lazio.
Nani called it quits and, finally, hung up his boots in December 2024 after a wonderfully-crafted career at the top – and when asked by The Icon League on TikTok to name his ultimate XI for former teammates, the aforementioned Ronaldo didn’t make the cut.
Goalkeeper and Defence
Edwin van der Sar, Joao Cancelo, Bruno Alves, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra
Edwin van der Sar is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history – and for good reason too. Nani spent a four-season period with the imposing Dutchman in between the sticks at Old Trafford and the two won plenty of silverware together under Govan-born Ferguson’s watch.
Joao Cancelo, 30, and Patrice Evra, 44, were on hand to flank Nani’s four-man defence. In terms of the former, the ex-Red Devil played with him at Valencia in the 2016/17 season, while they also represented Portugal together on two different occasions.
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Evra, commonly admired as one of the greatest defenders in Premier League history, played at Old Trafford between 2006 and 2014 and, as expected, won plenty of trophies in that time. He would’ve overlapped Nani hundreds of times in their 185 outings together.
Considering that he played north of 100 games alongside Bruno Alves, his inclusion should not come as a shock – and that’s despite playing alongside the likes of Nemanja Vidic, John O’Shea and Jonny Evans throughout his illustrious Old Trafford spell.
The pair predominantly played together on the international stage, but they also linked up in Turkey with Fenerbahce on 35 different occasions. Partnering the Portuguese central defender, Nani picked Rio Ferdinand – a player who broke the British transfer record twice.
Ferdinand, one of the greatest England defenders in football history, was decent on the ball, tough in tackles and offered a level of composure to the Red Devils back line. Now a regular on TV screens with his punditry work, it would be remiss to disregard the Englishman's talent.
Goalkeeper and Defence
Position
GK
RB
CB
CB
LB
Midfield
Paul Scholes, Deco, Bruno Fernandes
What more needs to be said about Paul Scholes? In a Q&A with Football Wave, Nani waxed lyrical about the effortless midfielder: “One player who really surprised me and impressed me a lot in the beginning was Paul Scholes – he was phenomenal.”
A string-puller of sorts, the affectionally monikered Ginger Prince possessed an enviable passing range. Considered Manchester United royalty, the boyhood Red played alongside Nani on 105 different occasions between 2007 and 2013.
Albeit in polar opposite stages of their respective careers, Deco and Nani plied their international trade together 23 times between 2007 and 2010 – and the classy engine room operator was talented enough to impress the winger.
His creative know-how while in possession provided Nani with the license to make runs, demand the ball and produce moments of magic. Deco was, without a doubt, silky and effortless – and therefore, a delight to watch at the peak of his powers.
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One of two active players to be chosen by Nani is Bruno Fernandes – the best signing from the hodgepodge post-Ferguson area. Although he’s labelled as an attacking midfielder, the talisman can do it all and Nani witnessed that first-hand in their 27 appearances together at Sporting CP.
Midfield
Position
CM
CM
CM
Forwards
Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs
Carlos Tevez may have left a sour taste in the mouths of the Old Trafford faithful – but not from Nani’s point of view as he picked the 76-cap Argentina international, who is widely regarded as one of the best South American players in Premier League history, to occupy his left-wing berth.
Akin to a bulldozing force, Wayne Rooney made a hobby out of terrorising defences up and down the country – and the beauty of the Englishman was that he could do it all by himself. Whether it was fashioning chances or being an all-action striker, Rooney was Manchester United's go-to man. On Rooney, he said:
“Rooney is a special player. Strong, fantastic quality, shooting, vision – very intelligent. I enjoyed playing with him. He is a player who is a big part of Manchester United.”
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Ryan Giggs may not get the recognition that he deserves as his numbers are not favourable – but the roaring Welshman had pace to burn and his mazy dribbles, especially that one against Arsenal in the 1998/99 FA Cup semi-final, were a sight to behold.
Forwards
Position
RW
ST
LW
All statistics per Transfermarkt - correct as of 20/05/2025