Nani (footballer)

This name uses Portuguese naming customs; the first or maternal family name is Almeida and the second or paternal family name is Cunha.
Nani
Nani.JPG
Personal information
Full name Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha
Date of birth 17 November 1986 (1986-11-17) (age 24)
Place of birth Praia, Cape Verde
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position Winger
Club information
Current club Manchester United
Number 17
Youth career
2000–2003 Real Sport Clube
2003–2005 Sporting CP
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2005–2007 Sporting CP 58 (9)
2007– Manchester United 65 (9)
National team‡
2006–2009 Portugal U21 10 (1)
2006– Portugal 36 (7)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:30, 28 August 2010 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 07:07, 02 June 2010 (UTC)

Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha (born 17 November 1986), commonly known as Nani, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger for English side Manchester United and the Portugal national team.

Nani began his career with Sporting CP, joining the youth team in 2003 before making his first-team debut in 2005. During his two-year tenure in Portugal, Nani won only one trophy: the Portuguese Cup in the 2006–07 season. Before the 2007–08 season, Nani's performances attracted the attention of Manchester United, who eventually secured his services in July 2007. He gained first-team status almost immediately and has since won the Premier League twice, the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League, and two Football League Cups – in the 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons.

Nani made his Portugal debut in 2006, scoring his first goal in the process, and has since established himself as a key member for them. He heavily featured during Euro 2008 and throughout the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification process.

Contents

Early life

Born in Praia, Cape Verde, Nani emigrated with his family to Portugal at an early age. He was raised by his aunt Antonia in the Amadora district of Lisbon,[1] where he and childhood friend, midfielder Manuel Fernandes, would often kick a ball about together.[2]

Career

Early career

Nani grew up supporting Sporting CP and played junior football alongside Ricardo Vaz Tê at Massamá youth club Real Sport Clube,[3] before joining the youth squad of Sporting CP.[1]

According to the former coach of the Real Massamá junior team, a quick friendship was formed between Vaz Té and Nani but their dislike of losing became a complication in training. The two got into a fight during a training session which resulted in the two having to be separated and be punished for a week which resulted in neither playing the following Sunday. While Vaz Té came to practise for that week, Nani did not appear.[4]

Sporting CP

Nani made his debut for Sporting in 2005–06, making 29 appearances and scoring four goals. In his second season, he had similar numbers with 29 appearances and five goals. He also played in six European games, scoring once.

Manchester United

Nani was sold to Manchester United for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £14–17 million,[5][6] five percent of which was paid to Real de Massamá.[7] He passed his medical on 6 June 2007,[8] and signed a five-year contract a month later, joining Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo – with whom he lived for a time at the start of his Manchester United career[9] – at the club.[10]

Nani scored on his debut in a pre-season friendly against Shenzhen, netting the third in a 6–0 win.[11] He also scored in the following game against Guangzhou Pharmaceutical with a chip off the right post from the left side of the penalty area in a 3–0 win.[12]

On 5 August 2007, Nani made his competitive debut for United, coming on as a substitute in the Community Shield against Chelsea. He marked his debut with a trophy after the Red Devils won 3–0 on penalties, following a 1–1 draw during normal time.[13] This was followed up by Nani's third goal for the club three days later, when he scored against Glentoran in another 3–0 pre-season win.[14]

Nani with Gilberto Silva

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.[15] On 26 August 2007, Nani scored his first competitive goal for Manchester United, scoring a 30-yard winner in the 69th minute against Tottenham Hotspur. Nani also set up crucial goals for Louis Saha and Nemanja Vidić allowing United to beat both Sunderland and Everton 1–0.[16][17] He also scored with a stunning strike against Middlesbrough, which set the ball rolling to a 4–1 win. It was the first game in which it was thought that Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tévez showed the first real promise of forming a good strike partnership. 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 who stole the limelight by scoring the winner in a 1–0 win.[18]

Nani playing for United in 2008

On 16 February 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. During the match, Nani was involved in an altercation with Arsenal captain William Gallas who felt that the Portuguese was "showboating".[19] After the match, Arsène Wenger was equally displeased, while Gilberto Silva said that Nani had a "big head".[20]

On 23 March 2008, Nani set up the second and scored the final goal in a 3–0 victory over rivals Liverpool, in the 79th and 81st minutes respectively, after coming onto the pitch as a substitute.[21]

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 Manchester United career for a headbutt on West Ham defender Lucas Neill.[22] 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.[23]

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.[24] On 18 October, he scored from a Wayne Rooney assist to complete the 4–0 rout of West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford.[25] On 20 January 2009, he opened the scoring for United in their 4–2 win at home to Derby County in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final.[26]

Nani's first contribution to United's new season was opening the scoring in the 10th minute of the 2009 FA Community Shield, but United eventually lost the match on penalties after a 2–2 draw. Nani suffered a dislocated shoulder during the match, which was originally expected to keep him out of the start of the season,[27] but he recovered in time to play 17 minutes for Portugal against Liechtenstein on 12 August,[28] and started the match against Birmingham City on 16 August. Although he provided the assist for Wayne Rooney's winning goal in the 34th minute, Nani was replaced by Ryan Giggs at half-time.[29] With the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, there would be many wanting to take over free-kick duties and Nani put his mark down as first choice as he scored his first goal of the 2009–10 season from a free-kick against Wigan Athletic, scoring the final goal of a 5–0 away win.[30]

After many disappointing games at United, Nani hit out at Sir Alex Ferguson and his man management tactics, which looked to seal his place out of the Old Trafford club with his intention to leave.[31] Despite this outburst Nani was given his chance to shine and provided an assist for Wayne Rooney in the 4–0 league win over Hull City, this coming before he revealed his frustrating injury problems that have cursed his United career.[32] Soon after this positive display he put in another great performance in their League Cup semi-final victory over derby rivals Manchester City, revealing a heart-to-heart with Sir Alex Ferguson has resulted in a dramatic turnabout in form.[33] On 31 January 2010, Nani produced a sublime piece of skill to set up the first goal in the 3–1 league victory over Arsenal, tricking his way past Gaël Clichy and Samir Nasri he then stepped aside Denilson before lifting the ball to the far post, where keeper Manuel Almunia could only palm the ball into his own net. Just four minutes later he then teed up Wayne Rooney for his 100th Premier League goal before being substituted on the 88th minute in United's first league victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.[34] Following this matured performance, Nani then set up the second of a 5–0 home win over Portsmouth,[35] however just four days later he was sent off for a lunge at Stiliyan Petrov against Aston Villa, which resulted in a three match ban and ruled him out of the League Cup final.[36] On 10 March 2010, Nani showed more good work when setting up Rooney's second in a 4–0 win over A.C. Milan,[37] before providing another assist for Rooney four days later in the 3–0 league victory over Fulham.[38]

On 26 March 2010, Nani was rewarded for his recent performances with a new four-year contract at United, committing himself until 2014.[39] On 27 March 2010, Nani took his assist tally in the league for this season to nine as he set up two goals in a 4–0 win over Bolton at the Reebok Stadium, providing goals for Dimitar Berbatov and Darron Gibson.[40] On 7 April 2010, Nani scored his first ever European goals for United, netting two strikes in a 3–2 victory over Bayern Munich. Despite being 3–2 and eventually winning the game, Bayern knocked United out on away goals with the aggregate score being ending 4–4.[41] On 24 April 2010, Nani scored his first league goal at Old Trafford for 18 months, netting a chipped effort over Heurelho Gomes for United's second in a 3–1 home victory over Tottenham Hotspur.[42] On 2 May 2010, Nani scored for the second game in a row, netting the only goal in a 1–0 away victory over Sunderland.[43] On 26 May 2010, it was confirmed by the Dubious Goals Panel that Nani's effort against Arsenal at the Emirates is awarded as his goal and not an Almunia own goal, thus ending his season with 7 goals and not 6.[44][45]

On 22 August 2010, Nani made his first significant contribution to the new season in a 2–2 draw away to Fulham as he forced Brede Hangeland to concede an own goal from a corner putting United 2–1 in front. Nani then had the chance to extend the lead in the 87th minute with a penalty but saw it saved by David Stockdale, Fulham then equalised two minutes later through Hangeland to end the game with a draw.[46] Nani then put in a Man of the Match performance just six days later in a 3–0 home victory over West Ham United, scoring his first goal of the season with a solo effort and then teeing up Dimitar Berbatov to volley in the final goal.[47]

International career

Nani was the youngest member of the Portugal U-21 squad at the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. He made his first appearance for the senior Portuguese team on 1 September 2006, and marked his debut with a goal in Portugal's 4–2 friendly defeat against Denmark.[2]

Nani was a regular member of the Portuguese squad in qualification for UEFA Euro 2008, and scored one of the goals in the 2–1 away win over Belgium on 2 June 2007.[48] He also provided the assist for Ricardo Quaresma's goal in a friendly against Italy on 6 February 2008.[49] Nani's form for Manchester United during the 2007–08 season ultimately earned him a call-up to Luiz Felipe Scolari's 23-man squad for Euro 2008, alongside club team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. He was only used sparingly during the campaign, but did manage to provide the assist for Hélder Postiga's goal during a 15-minute cameo in the quarter-finals against Germany on 19 June 2008. Portugal eventually lost the match 3–2.[50]

Nani helped Portugal reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with his man of the match performance against Malta in which he opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a low, left footed volley and setting up the third goal for Portugal defender Miguel Veloso.[51] Nani was influential in the 2010 World Cup playoff against Bosnia & Herzegovina: in the first leg sending in a pin-point cross to Bruno Alves who scored with a header, giving Portugal a one goal advantage going into the second leg away in Bosnia.[52] Nani again set up the goal, sending a clever pass to the feet of Raúl Meireles who slotted it into the bottom left hand corner. Portugal won the playoff 2–0 and qualified for the 2010 World Cup.[53]

On 1 June 2010, Nani netted Portugal's third in a 3-1 victory over Cameroon, producing a fine chipped finish.[54] On 8 June 2010, just three days before the World Cup's opening game takes place, Nani was ruled out of the tournament through a shoulder injury.[55]

International goals

Nani: International goals
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 1 September 2006 Brøndby Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark  Denmark 2–2 2–4 Friendly
2 2 June 2007 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium  Belgium 0–1 1–2 UEFA Euro 2008 Qual.
3 20 August 2008 Estádio Municipal de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal  Faroe Islands 5–0 5–0 Friendly
4 6 September 2008 Ta' Qali National Stadium, Attard, Malta  Malta 0–4 0–4 2010 FIFA World Cup Qual.
5 10 September 2008 Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal  Denmark 1–0 2–3 2010 FIFA World Cup Qual.
6 14 October 2009 Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal  Malta 1–0 4–0 2010 FIFA World Cup Qual.
7 1 June 2010 Complexo Desportivo da Covilhã, Covilhã, Portugal  Cameroon 3–1 3–1 Friendly

Celebration

Nani celebrates with a mortal (English: Leap of death), similar to that of Obafemi Martins and Lomana LuaLua. The celebration derives from Nani's background in capoeira, which he used to practice as a child. For a while, it was widely reported that United boss, Alex Ferguson, had banned Nani's celebration, fearing for his safety,[56] although this was never supported by any direct quotes from Ferguson or Nani. Nani decided to set the record straight; "That is not true", he said. "Ferguson has never spoken to me about this subject and I am going to continue to celebrate goals in this way. The conversations he has had with me are normal conversations, like he has with all players".[57]

Career statistics

Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other[58] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sporting CP 2005–06 29 4 5 1 – 2 0 0 0 36 5
2006–07 29 5 5 0 – 6 1 0 0 40 6
Total 58 9 10 1 – 8 1 0 0 76 11
Manchester United 2007–08 26 3 2 1 1 0 11 0 1 0 41 4
2008–09 13 1 2 2 6 3 7 0 3 0 31 6
2009–10 23 4 0 0 2 0 8 2 1 1 34 7
2010–11 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 1
Total 65 9 4 3 9 3 26 2 6 1 110 18
Career total 123 18 14 4 9 3 34 3 6 1 186 29

Statistics accurate as of match played 28 August 2010[59][60]

Honours

Club

Sporting CP
Manchester United

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Worden, Tom; Mullock, Simon (17 June 2007). "Slums nurtured Nani". sundaymirror.co.uk (Trinity Mirror). http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/2007/06/17/slums-nurtured-nani-98487-19309282/. Retrieved 17 June 2007. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Henderson, Charlie (31 May 2007). "Who are Anderson & Nani?". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/6707383.stm. Retrieved 4 August 2007. 
  3. ↑ Mills, Steve (1 June 2007). "Get to know... Nani". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=432328. Retrieved 22 April 2008. 
  4. ↑ Gouveia, Ricardo (2 December 2005). "Nani: the first steps of a rebel". IOL.pt (www.maisfutebol.iol.pt). http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/noticia.php?id=617416. Retrieved 5 April 2010. 
  5. ↑ Anstead, Mike (26 June 2007). "Nani will be a big star". Sun Online (News Group Newspapers). http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article238963.ece. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 
  6. ↑ Winter, Henry (14 June 2007). "Nani shows United's £17m is well spent". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2315195/Nani-shows-United%27s-andpound17m-is-well-spent.html. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 
  7. ↑ Gouveia, Ricardo (19 July 2007). "Real Massamá ainda não recebeu os cinco por cento de Nani" (in Portuguese). Maisfutebol. http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/noticia.php?id=834509&div_id=1457. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 
  8. ↑ Hibbs, Ben (6 June 2007). "Nani passes Reds medical". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=433872. Retrieved 6 June 2007. 
  9. ↑ "How parents' divorce almost ruined Nani's career". sunnewsonline.com. Wednesday, April 30, 2008. http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/sports/2008/apr/30/sports-30-04-2008-001.htm. Retrieved 25 February 2009. 
  10. ↑ Bartram, Steve (2 July 2007). "Reds complete triple signing". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=440998. Retrieved 2 July 2007. 
  11. ↑ Coppack, Nick (23 July 2007). "Shenzhen 0 United 6". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=447097. Retrieved 23 July 2007. 
  12. ↑ Coppack, Nick (27 July 2007). "Guangzhou 0 United 3". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=447950. Retrieved 27 July 2007. 
  13. ↑ Coppack, Nick (5 August 2007). "Report: Reds Lift Community Shield". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=449978. Retrieved 26 August 2007. 
  14. ↑ Hibbs, Ben (8 August 2007). "Glentoran 0 United 3". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=451175&page=2. Retrieved 8 August 2007. 
  15. ↑ Bartram, Steve (12 August 2007). "Report: United 0 Reading 0". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=462736. Retrieved 26 August 2007. 
  16. ↑ McKenzie, Andrew (1 September 2007). "Man Utd 1–0 Sunderland". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6963704.stm. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 
  17. ↑ McNulty, Phil (15 September 2007). "Everton 0–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6984880.stm. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 
  18. ↑ Bartram, Steve (19 September 2007). "Report: Sporting 0 United 1". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=472343. Retrieved 29 September 2007. 
  19. ↑ Poll, Graham (22 February 2008). "Graham Poll: The Official Line – Nani must learn rules of respect". Mail Online (Associated Newspapers). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-517688/Graham-Poll-The-Official-Line--Nani-learn-rules-respect.html. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 
  20. ↑ Kay, Oliver (18 February 2008). "Arsene Wenger ‘humiliated’ by Nani juggling act". Times Online (Times Newspapers). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3386764.ece. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 
  21. ↑ Bostock, Adam (23 March 2008). "Report: United 3 Liverpool 0". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=543177. Retrieved 23 March 2008. 
  22. ↑ McNulty, Phil (3 May 2008). "Man Utd 4–1 West Ham". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7368652.stm. Retrieved 3 May 2008. 
  23. ↑ McNulty, Phil (21 May 2008). "Man Utd earn dramatic Euro glory". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7406252.stm. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 
  24. ↑ "Man Utd 3–1 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 23 September 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7626743.stm. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 
  25. ↑ Whyatt, Chris (18 October 2008). "Man Utd 4–0 West Brom". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7665094.stm. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 
  26. ↑ Bevan, Chris (20 January 2009). "Man Utd 4–2 Derby (4–3 agg)". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7824155.stm. Retrieved 20 January 2009. 
  27. ↑ "Man Utd suffer Nani injury blow". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 9 August 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8192491.stm. Retrieved 9 August 2009. 
  28. ↑ Coppack, Nick (13 August 2009). "Nani returns for Portugal". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6637752. Retrieved 13 August 2009. 
  29. ↑ Soneji, Pranav (16 August 2009). "Man Utd 1–0 Birmingham". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8197957.stm. Retrieved 17 August 2009. 
  30. ↑ Bevan, Chris (22 August 2009). "Wigan 0–5 Man Utd". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8209298.stm. Retrieved 22 August 2009. 
  31. ↑ "Nani hits out at Sir Alex Ferguson". The Sun (The Sun). 12 November 2009. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2725671/Nani-hits-out-at-Sir-Alex-Ferguson.html. Retrieved 12 November 2009. 
  32. ↑ "Nani reveals injury frustration". Sky Sports (Sky Sports). 25 January 2010. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,13864_5883985,00.html. Retrieved 25 January 2010. 
  33. ↑ "Fergie brought me back from brink". The Sun (The Sun). 30 January 2010. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2831427/Fergie-brought-me-back-from-brink.html. Retrieved 30 January 2010. 
  34. ↑ "Arsenal 1–3 Man Utd". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 31 January 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8485984.stm. Retrieved 31 January 2010. 
  35. ↑ "Man Utd 5–0 Portsmouth". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 6 February 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8493722.stm. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
  36. ↑ "Aston Villa 1–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 10 February 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8501875.stm. Retrieved 10 February 2010. 
  37. ↑ "Man Utd 4–0 AC Milan". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 10 March 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8558023.stm. Retrieved 10 March 2010. 
  38. ↑ "Man Utd 3–0 Fulham". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 14 March 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8559649.stm. Retrieved 14 March 2010. 
  39. ↑ "Nani signs new four-year contract at Manchester United". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 26 March 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8588655.stm. Retrieved 26 March 2010. 
  40. ↑ "Bolton 0–4 Man Utd". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 27 March 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8584765.stm. Retrieved 27 March 2010. 
  41. ↑ "Man Utd 3–2 Bayern Munich". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 7 April 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8604742.stm. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  42. ↑ "Man Utd 3–1 Tottenham". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 24 April 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8632533.stm. Retrieved 24 April 2010. 
  43. ↑ "Sunderland 0–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8651355.stm. Retrieved 02 May 2010. 
  44. ↑ "Dubious goals". PremierLeague.com (Premier League). 25 May 2010. http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~2059030,00.html. Retrieved 25 May 2010. 
  45. ↑ "Late present for Nani". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). 26 May 2010. http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6649297. Retrieved 26 May 2010. 
  46. ↑ "Fulham 2-2 Man Utd". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 22 August 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8927954.stm. Retrieved 29 August 2010. 
  47. ↑ "Nani's perfect riposte". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). 28 August 2010. http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6651712. Retrieved 29 August 2010. 
  48. ↑ "Postiga keeps Portugal pressing". euro2008.com (Union of European Football Associations). 2 June 2007. http://www1.uefa.com/tournament/qualifying/matches/match=83777/index.html. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 
  49. ↑ "Italy 3–1 Portugal: Rampant Azzurri looking good". ESPNsoccernet (ESPN Internet Ventures). 6 February 2008. http://soccernet-akamai.espn.go.com/report?id=234403&league=FIFA.FRIENDLY&&cc=3888. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 
  50. ↑ Hart, Simon (19 June 2008). "Portugal ousted by German power show". euro2008.com (Union of European Football Associations). http://www1.uefa.com/tournament/matches/match=301699/report=rp.html. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 
  51. ↑ Mira, Luís. "Portugal Thrash Sorry Malta", Goal.net, 6 September 2009 Retrieved on 22 January 2010.
  52. ↑ "Alves goal gives Portugal advantage", ESPN Soccernet, 14 November 2009. Retrieved on 22 January 2010.
  53. ↑ "Portugal seal South Africa berth", FIFA.com, 18 November 2009. Retrieved on 2010-01-22.
  54. ↑ "World Cup 2010: Eto'o off as Portugal beat Cameroon", BBC Sport, 01 June 2010. Retrieved on 2010-06-01.
  55. ↑ "World Cup 2010: Portugal's Nani out of World Cup", BBC Sport, 08 June 2010. Retrieved on 2010-06-08.
  56. ↑ McDonnell, David (27 July 2007). "Fergie bans Nani's celebration". Mirror.co.uk (Trinity Mirror). http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2007/07/27/fergie-bans-nani-celebration-89520-19528747/. Retrieved 12 May 2008. 
  57. ↑ McDonnell, David (23 August 2007). "Nani feels settled at United". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=465353. Retrieved 25 August 2007. 
  58. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
  59. ↑ Endlar, Andrew. "Nani". StretfordEnd.co.uk. http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/playermenu/nani.html. Retrieved 21 October 2009. 
  60. ↑ "Nani Database". footballdatabase.eu. http://footballdatabase.eu/football.joueurs..nani.14691.en.html. Retrieved 11 August 2010. 

External links

Portugal squad – UEFA Euro 2008
1 Ricardo • 2 Ferreira • 3 Bruno Alves • 4 Bosingwa • 5 Meira • 6 Meireles • 7 C. Ronaldo • 8 Petit • 9 H. Almeida • 10 J. Moutinho • 11 Simão • 12 Nuno • 13 Miguel • 14 Ribeiro • 15 Pepe • 16 Carvalho • 17 Quaresma • 18 Veloso • 19 Nani • 20 Deco • 21 Nuno Gomes (c) • 22 Patrício • 23 H. Postiga • Coach: Scolari
 Portugal
Manchester United F.C. – current squad

1 Van der Sar · 2 Neville · 3 Evra · 4 Hargreaves · 5 Ferdinand · 6 Brown · 7 Owen · 8 Anderson · 9 Berbatov · 10 Rooney · 11 Giggs · 12 Smalling · 13 Park · 14 Hernández · 15 Vidić (c) · 16 Carrick · 17 Nani · 18 Scholes · 20 Fábio · 21 Rafael · 22 O'Shea · 23 J. Evans · 24 Fletcher · 25 Valencia · 26 Obertan · 27 Macheda · 28 Gibson · 29 Kuszczak · 31 C. Evans · 33 Bébé · 37 Brady · 40 Amos · 42 Eikrem · 44 Dudgeon · 45 Gill · 47 Norwood · 49 Morrison · Manager: Ferguson