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:''For the technical director at [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham]], see [[Gianluca Nani]].''
:''For the technical director at [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham]], see [[Gianluca Nani]].''
{{Infobox Football biography
{{Infobox Football biography
| playername = Nani
| playername = im a gay boy| image = [[Image:Man Utd V Arsenal.jpg|230px]]
| image = [[Image:Man Utd V Arsenal.jpg|230px]]
| fullname = Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha
| fullname = Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}
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| ntupdate = 03:09, 22 June 2008 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 03:09, 22 June 2008 (UTC)
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'''Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha''' (born [[17 November]] [[1986]] in [[Praia]], [[Cape Verde]]), better known as '''Nani''', is a [[Portugal|Portuguese]] [[football (soccer)|footballer]] who currently plays for [[Manchester United]] and [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]]. His predominant position is as a [[Midfielder#Winger|winger]].
'''Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha''' (born [[17 November]] [[1986]] in [[Praia]], [[Cape Verde]]), better known as '''Nani''', is a [[Portugal|Portuguese]] [[football (soccer)|footballer]] who currently plays for [[Manchester United]] and [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]]. His predominant position is as a [[puda face


==Career==
==Career==

Revision as of 15:02, 7 August 2008

For the technical director at West Ham, see Gianluca Nani.
Nani
Personal information
Full name Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Manchester United
Number 17
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 03:09, 22 June 2008 (UTC)

Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha (born 17 November 1986 in Praia, Cape Verde), better known as Nani, is a Portuguese footballer who currently plays for Manchester United and Portugal. His predominant position is as a [[puda face

Career

Early career

Nani was born in Praia, to Maria do Céu Almeida and Domingos da Cunha, but emigrated with his family to Portugal at an early age. He was raised by his aunt Antónia Almeida in the Amadora district of Lisbon[1], where he and Everton FC midfielder Manuel Fernandes, with whom he has been friends since childhood, would often kick a ball about together.[2] He also played with Ricardo Vaz Té at youth club Real Sport Clube, and starting his career in junior football at the Massamá-based club,[3] before joining the youth setup at Sporting.[4] Despite being both part of the Sporting youth academy, Nani and Ricardo Vaz Té grew up supporting F.C. Porto and were often found talking about them during training sessions. Yet, over time, and with his assimilation to the club, he came to be attached to Sporting.[5]

Sporting

Nani made his debut for the Sporting first team in the 2005-06 season, in which he made 29 appearances and scored five goals. In the 2006-07 season, he was again a regular, achieving the same league statistics. He also played three games in the Portuguese Cup, which Sporting won, as well as six Champions League matches, scoring once. In one of those Champions League matches, a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich, Felix Magath hailed the youngster. Speaking after the game, the Bayern coach said of the youngster: "He's one of the most gifted young players in Europe, and what's more, he's stronger than I thought he was."[6]

Manchester United

Sporting and Manchester United agreed an undisclosed fee for Nani to sign for the Manchester club. The fee was believed to be in the region of £17m, the alleged value of the release clause in Nani's contract.[7] Tottenham Hotspur were also reported to have made a bid for the player.[8] Real de Massamá received 5% of the transfer fee paid by Manchester United, approximately €1.25m.[9] Nani passed his medical at United's Carrington training ground on 6 June 2007,[10] before being confirmed as a Manchester United player on 2 July. It was announced that Nani had signed a five-year contract with the club.[11]

On 9 July, Nani was revealed to the press along with fellow newcomer Owen Hargreaves.[12] He was handed the number 17 shirt for the 2007-08 season, the shirt previously worn by Henrik Larsson during his short spell at the club in the previous season.

Nani scored on his debut in a pre-season friendly against Shenzhen FC, in which United ran out 6-0 winners. 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. Nani decided to set the record straight after reports suggested he had been banned by Sir Alex Ferguson from doing his trademark somersault celebration for fear of injuring himself. "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." [13]

Nani made his competitive debut for Manchester United on 5 August 2007, 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 in normal time.[14] This was followed up with Nani's third goal for the club three days later when he scored against Glentoran.

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. Nani also set up crucial goals for Louis Saha and Nemanja Vidić allowing United to beat both Sunderland and Everton 1-0, respectively.[16] He returned to his previous club in a Champions League tie in September, though it was teammate and also former Sporting man Cristiano Ronaldo who "stole the limelight" by scoring the winner in a 1-0 win.[17]

On 16th February 2008, Nani put on a Man Of the Match performance against Arsenal F.C., in the FA cup 4th round which ended with Man United winning their rivals 4-0. He capped of 2 assists with a sweetly taken goal. During the match, he was involved in an alteration with Arsenal captain William Gallas who felt that Nani was "showboating" as he had earlier done some silky skills which had caused Justin Hoyte to slip as he ran after him. After the match, Arsene Wenger was equally displeased and Gilberto Silva said that he had a "big head". Alex Ferguson himself was not happy about Nani's behaiviour.

On 23 March 2008, Nani scored the third and final goal in a 3-0 victory over rivals Liverpool, only five minutes after coming onto the pitch as a substitute.[18]

On 3 May, Nani was sent off for the first time in his Manchester United career for a head-butt on West Ham United's defender Lucas Neill. It is rumoured that Nani was fined £60,000 and had to do community service.[19]

On 21 May, Nani was substituted on 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 fifth penalty in the shootout.

Celebration

Nani celebrates with a 'mortal' or, in English, a 'Leap of death', similar to that of Obafemi Martins and Lomano LuaLua. He used to practice capoeira and ballet as a boy. This is basically one somersault with bent legs (optional), and then one with straight legs. For a while, it was widely reported that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson banned Nani's celebration, fearing for his safety[20] although this was never supported by any direct quotes from Ferguson or Nani. Despite the supposed ban, Nani has celebrated in this manner every time he has scored for United.

Career stats

All-Time Club Performance
Country Club Season Domestic League Domestic Cups Europe Total
Apps Goals Assts Apps Goals Assts Apps Goals Assts Apps Goals Assts
Portugal Sporting Clube de Portugal 2005-07 58 10 - - - - - - - 58 10 -
Total 58 10 - - - - - - - 58 10 -
England Manchester United 2007-08 26 3 6 3 1 2 8 - 3 37 4 11
Total 26 3 6 3 1 2 8 - 3 37 4 11
Career Totals 84 13 6 3 1 2 8 - 3 95 14 11


International Career

Nani was the youngest member of Portugal U-21 team at the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.

Nani made his first appearance for Portugal on 1 September 2006 and scored on his debut in a 2-4 friendly loss against Denmark.[21]

Nani has played for the Portugal A side, he scored one of the goals against the Belgium team in a 2-1 win. He also helped Ricardo Quaresma with the goal against Italy national football team. His form during the 2007/08 season with Manchester United earned him a call up to Luis Felipe Scolari's Euro 2008 23 man squad, alongside team mate Cristiano Ronaldo. He was only used sparingly during the campaign but did manage to assist team mate Hélder Postiga's goal during a 15 minute cameo in the quarter finals against Germany. Portugal eventually lost 3-2.

Honours

Club

Sporting

Manchester United

See also

References

  1. ^ Tom Worden and Simon Mullock (2007-06-17). "Slums Nurtured Nani". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 2007-06-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Charlie Henderson (2007-05-31). "Who are Anderson & Nani?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2007-08-04. Did you know: Midfielder Manuel Fernandes, who finished the season on loan at Everton, is a friend since childhood and the pair used to kick a ball about together on the streets of Lisbon. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Steve Mills (2007-06-01). "Get to know... Nani". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 2008-04-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Tom Worden and Simon Mullock (2007-06-17). "Slums Nurtured Nani". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 2007-06-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Sun News Publishing. "How parents' divorce almost ruined Nani's career".
  6. ^ FIFA.com - Nani, Portugal's new teen sensation
  7. ^ Tom Worden and Simon Mullock (2007-06-17). "Slums Nurtured Nani". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 2007-06-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ Ian McGarry (2007-05-31). "It's grab a Nani night". The Sun. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Ricardo Gouveia (2007-07-19). "Real Massamá ainda não recebeu os cinco por cento de Nani" (in Portuguese). Maisfutebol. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Ben Hibbs (2007-06-06). "Nani passes Reds medical". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  11. ^ Steve Bartram (2007-07-02). "Reds complete triple signing". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  12. ^ Nick Coppack (2007-07-09). "Stars on parade". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 2007-07-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ David McDonnell (2007-08-23). "Nani feels settled at United". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 2007-08-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ ManUtd.com (2007-08-05). "Report: Reds Lift Community Shield". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 2007-08-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ ManUtd.com (2007-08-12). "Report: United 0 Reading 0". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 2007-08-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ "Report: Everton 0 United 1". 2007-09-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "author:SkySports.com" ignored (help)
  17. ^ "Report: Sporting 0, United 1". ManUtd.com. 2007-09-19. Retrieved 2007-09-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ "Report: United 3 Liverpool 0". ManUtd.com. 2008-03-23. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
  19. ^ Phil McNulty (2008-05-03). "Man Utd 4-1 West Ham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  20. ^ "Fergie bans Nani's celebration". The Mirror. 2007-07-27. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  21. ^ Charlie Henderson (2007-05-31). "Who are Anderson & Nani?". BBC Sport. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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