Wing midfielder who always relied on by Sir Alex Ferguson after relic CR7 to Real Madrid Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha, commonly known as Nani, the Portuguese player who plays as a winger for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and national team Portugal. At age 16, he began training with Sporting Clube de Portugal and SL Benfica on alternate days, eventually joining the Sporting young squad after they offer pre-season training.
Nani won the Community Shield on competitive debut at the club and has since added a number of trophies including the Premier League and Champions League during his debut season at the club. He has established himself as first choice winger at Manchester United and has won more Premier League, Football League Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the title of the three Community Shield. Nani is also a Portugal international. Before playing at senior level, he played under-21 level. Since his debut, he has made 51 appearances and scored 12 goals for Portugal.
Nani won the Community Shield on competitive debut at the club and has since added a number of trophies including the Premier League and Champions League during his debut season at the club. He has established himself as first choice winger at Manchester United and has won more Premier League, Football League Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the title of the three Community Shield. Nani is also a Portugal international. Before playing at senior level, he played under-21 level. Since his debut, he has made 51 appearances and scored 12 goals for Portugal.
Personal Information
Full name : Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha
Date of birth : 17 November 1986 (age 25)
Place of birth : Praia, Cape Verde
Height : 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position : Midfielder, Winger
Club Information
Current club : Manchester United
Number : 17
Early life
Nani was born on 17 November 1986 in Praia, Cape Verde, off the west coast of Africa. Nani emigrated with his family to Portugal at an early age. Nani gained his nickname from an elder sister at a young age.
Nani's older brother taught him how to play football and he played with his childhood friend, midfielder Manuel Fernandes. Around the age of 14, Nani's older brother took him to train with Real Massamá. At the age of 16, Nani was training on alternate days with Sporting and Benfica. Nani Sometimes Walked miles to and from practice before Sporting Offered him pre-season training.
Club career
Sporting CP
Nani from Sporting CP joined his first club Real Massamá. Nani made his Portuguese league debut on 28 August, Replacing Deivid in the 76th minute of a 2-1 victory over Marítimo at the Estádio dos Barreiros. Sporting Nani scored his first goal on 30 October, opening the scoring in a 2-2 draw away to Boavista.
Nani first came into the spotlight after scoring in the Champions League against Spartak Moscow, netting Sporting's goal in a 1-1 group stage tie on 27 September 2006. Sporting Nani helped win the Portuguese Cup 2006-07, lifting the trophy after a 1-0 win over Belenenses on 27 May 2007 in the finals. Nani's second season ended with Sporting leagues with similar statistics and 40 Appearances and six goals in all Competitions.
Early years
Early years
Manchester United
Nani scored on his debut in a pre-season friendly against Shenzhen, netting the third in a 6-0 win. Nani's Premier League debut came in United's opening match at home to Reading on 12 August as a substitute for Wayne Rooney, who Had suffered a foot injury. Two weeks later, on 26 August, Nani scored his first competitive goal for United, netting a 30-yard winner in the 69th minute against Tottenham Hotspur. Nani also set up crucial goals for Louis Saha and Nemanja Vidic allowing United to beat Both Sunderland and Everton 1-0. He returned to his previous club, Sporting, in a Champions League tie in September, though it was team-mate and fellow former Sporting man Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner in a 1-0 victory. Nani opened the scoring in a 4-1 home victory over Middlesbrough on 27 October.
On February 16, 2008, Nani put in a man of the match performance against Arsenal in the FA Cup Fourth Round, his goal and two assists Helping United to a 4-0 win over Their Rivals. On 3 May, Towards the end of a 4-1 win over West Ham United, Nani was sent off for the first time in his United career for a Headbutt on West Ham defender Lucas Neill. On 21 May, Nani came on as a substitute for Wayne Rooney in the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final as United Defeated Chelsea 6-5 on Penalties Following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Nani took and scored Manchester United's crucial fifth penalty in the shootout.Nani scored his first goal of the 2008-09 season on 23 September 2008, scoring United's third goal in a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough in the last minute to secure passage to the Fourth Round of the Carling Cup.
Breakthrough
On 22 August, Nani scored his first league goal of the 2009-10 season, netting a free-kick against Wigan Athletic in a 5-0 away win. Several Following poor performances, Nani criticised Sir Alex Ferguson for his lack of confidence in him. Despite this Outburst Nani was given a chance to shine and provided an assist for Rooney in the 4-0 league win over Hull City.
On 31 January 2010, Nani scored the first goal and set up Rooney's 100th career Premier League strike in a 3-1 league victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Nani's goal was first thought of as a Manuel Almunia own-goal by many sources, but was confirmed as belonging to Nani on 26 March by the Dubious Goals Panel.
On 10 March, Nani set up Rooney's second in a 4-0 win over Milan, before Providing another assist for Rooney's four days later in the 3-0 league victory over Fulham. On April 7, Nani scored his first ever European goals for United, netting two strikes in a 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich. On 24 April, Nani scored his first league goal at Old Trafford for 18 months, netting United's second in a 3-1 home victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Nani's third season with Manchester United ended with 34 Appearances and seven goals in all Competitions.
2010–2011 season
Nani scored and assisted Michael Owen in a 2-2 away draw away to Bolton Wanderers on 26 September. On 16 October, Nani scored United's second in a 2-2 home draw against West Bromwich Albion. Four days later Nani scored his first Champions League goal of the season, netting the solitary strike in a 1-0 home victory over Bursaspor. Nani scored a controversial second goal as United beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at home on 30 October.
On 27 November, Nani scored United's fifth goal in a 7-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers. Nani netted his first goal of 2011 as he scored the winning strike in a 2-1 home victory over Stoke City on 4 January. On 22 January, Nani scored the final goal of a 5-0 home victory over Birmingham City. Nani netted United's only goal in Their first league loss of the season, a 2-1 defeat at Wolves on 5 February. Seven days later Nani scored his first Manchester derby goal, opening the scoring in a 2-1 home victory over Manchester City. On 6 March, During United's 3-1 loss against Liverpool at Anfield, Nani was injured following a challenge from Jamie Carragher just before half-time.
2011-2012 Season
In United's following league game at the Britannia Stadium, Nani scored his third goal of the season in a 1-1 draw with Stoke City. On November 1, Nani was shortlisted for the prestigious FIFA Ballon d'Or one of just four Premier League players Luis Suarez, Sergio Agüero and fellow Manchester United player Wayne Rooney. On the 10 December, the first match after United's elimination from the UEFA Champions League, Nani scored a brace in a home game against Wolves. Nani scored his sixth league goal of the season and provided two assists in a 5-0 away win at Fulham on 21 December.
International Career
Nani made his first senior appearance for the Portuguese team on 1 September 2006, and marked his debut with a goal in Portugal's 4-2 friendly defeat to Denmark. Nani was ruled out of Portugal's friendly with Greece in March 2008 due to injury.
Euro 2008
Nani was a regular member of the Portuguese squad in Euro 2008 qualification, and scored one of the goals in the 2-1 away win over Belgium on 2 June 2007.
Nani was a regular member of the Portuguese squad in Euro 2008 qualification, and scored one of the goals in the 2-1 away win over Belgium on 2 June 2007.
Post Euro 2008-2010
Nani's fourth international goal came in Portugal's final friendly game before Their World Cup qualifying campaign started, a 5-0 victory over the Faroe Islands on 20 August 2008. Nani scored the final goal of a 4-0 victory over Malta as Portugal started qualification for the 2010 World Cup on September 6. Nani Portugal helped book a play-off place for the World Cup as he netted in the 4-0 home win over Malta on 14 October 2009. On 1 June 2010, Nani netted Portugal's third in a 3-1 victory over Cameroon.
Nani's fourth international goal came in Portugal's final friendly game before Their World Cup qualifying campaign started, a 5-0 victory over the Faroe Islands on 20 August 2008. Nani scored the final goal of a 4-0 victory over Malta as Portugal started qualification for the 2010 World Cup on September 6. Nani Portugal helped book a play-off place for the World Cup as he netted in the 4-0 home win over Malta on 14 October 2009. On 1 June 2010, Nani netted Portugal's third in a 3-1 victory over Cameroon.
Euro 2012 qualifying
Nani scored twice and assisted once in Paulo Bento's first game in charge of Portugal in a 3-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Denmark on 8 October 2010.
Nani scored twice and assisted once in Paulo Bento's first game in charge of Portugal in a 3-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Denmark on 8 October 2010.
Style of play
In the early stages of his career at Manchester United, Nani Often invited comparison to playing style and abilities with club and international colleague Cristiano Ronaldo, For Whom Often he deputised at club level. While capable of cutting off Both wings to strike at goal from distance, Nani has substantially Fewer goals, yet a substantially higher proportion of assists than his former colleague.He can also play in the more attacking position of the forward or wing forward.
Celebrationa
Nani celebrates with a mortal (Bahasa: Leap of Death), similar to That of Obafemi Martins and Lomana LuaLua. The celebration derives from Nani's background in capoeira, the which he used to practice as a child. For a while, it was reported That United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Had banned Nani's celebration due to fear for his safety.
Honours
Club
Sporting CP
Taça de Portugal (1) : 2006-07
Manchester United
Premier League (3) : 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11
Football League Cup (1) : 2008-09
FA Community Shield (4) : 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
UEFA Champions League (1) : 2007-08
FIFA Club World Cup (1) : 2008
Individual
SJPF Young Player of the Month (1) : May 2007
PFA Premier League Team of the Year (1) : 2010-11
Players' Player of the Year (1) : 2010-11