Nani

Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha (born 17 November 1986), commonly known as Nani, is a Portugal association football Midfielder Winger who plays for England club Manchester United F.C. and the Portugal national football team.

Early life

Born in Praia, Cape Verde, Nani emigrated with Nani family to Portugal at an early age. Nani was raised by Nani aunt Antonia in the Amadora district of Lisbon, where Nani and childhood friend, midfielder Manuel Fernandes (footballer born 1986), would often kick a ball about together.

Career

Early career

Nani grew up supporting F.C. Porto and played junior football alongside Ricardo Vaz Té at Massamá youth club Real Sport Clube, before joining the youth squad of Sporting Clube de Portugal. thought to be around Pound sterling14–17 million, five percent of which was paid to Real de Massamá. Nani passed Nani medical on 6 June 2007, and signed a five-year contract.

Nani scored on Nani debut in a pre-season friendly against Shenzhen Shangqingyin, in which United ran out 6–0 winners. Nani also scored in the following game against Guangzhou Pharmaceutical F.C. with a chip off the right post from the left side of the penalty area. Nani decided to set the record straight after reports suggested Nani had been banned by Alex Ferguson from doing Nani trademark somersault celebration for fear of injuring himself. "That is not true", Nani said. "Ferguson has never spoken to me about this subject and I am going to continue to celebrate goals in this way. The conversations Nani has had with me are normal conversations, like Nani has with all players".

Nani made Nani competitive debut for Manchester United on 5 August 2007, coming on as a substitute in the FA Community Shield against Chelsea F.C.. Nani marked Nani debut with a trophy after the Red Devils won 3–0 on penalties, following a 1–1 draw in normal time. This was followed up by Nani's third goal for the club three days later, when Nani scored against Glentoran F.C..

Nani's Premier League debut came in United's opening match at home to Reading F.C. on 12 August as a substitute for Wayne Rooney, who had suffered a foot injury. On 26 August 2007, Nani scored Nani first competitive goal for Manchester United, scoring a 30-yard winner in the 69th minute against Tottenham Hotspur F.C.. Nani also set up crucial goals for Louis Saha and Nemanja Vidić allowing United to beat both Sunderland A.F.C. and Everton F.C. 1–0. Nani 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. Nani returned to Nani 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.

On 16 February 2008, Nani put in a man of the match performance against Arsenal F.C. in the FA Cup Fourth Round, Nani 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". After the match, Arsène Wenger was equally displeased, while Gilberto Silva said that Nani had a "big head".

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

On 3 May, towards the end of a 4–1 win over West Ham United F.C., Nani was sent off for the first time in Nani Manchester 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 F.C. 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 Nani first goal of the 2008–09 season on 23 September 2008, scoring United's third goal in a 3–1 win over Middlesbrough F.C. in the last minute to secure passage to the Fourth Round of the Football League Cup. On 18 October, Nani scored from a Wayne Rooney assist to complete the 4–0 rout of West Bromwich Albion F.C. at Old Trafford. On 20 January 2009, Nani opened the scoring for United in their 4–2 win at home to Derby County F.C. in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final.

International career

Nani was the youngest member of the Portugal U-21 squad at the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. Nani made Nani first appearance for the senior Portugal national football team team on 1 September 2006, and marked Nani debut with a goal in Portugal's 4–2 friendly defeat against Denmark national football team. Nani also provided the assist for Ricardo Quaresma's goal in a friendly against Italy national football team on 6 February 2008. Nani's form for Manchester United during the 2007–08 season ultimately earned Nani a call-up to Luiz Felipe Scolari's 23-man squad for Euro 2008, alongside club team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. Nani 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 national football team on 19 June 2008. Portugal eventually lost the match 3–2.

Celebration

Nani celebrates with a "mortal" or, in English, a "Leap of death", similar to that of Obafemi Martins and Lomana LuaLua. The celebration derives from Nani's background in capoeira, which Nani 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 Nani safety, although this was never supported by any direct quotes from Ferguson or Nani. Despite the supposed ban, Nani has continued to celebrate in this manner.