Former Portugal and Manchester United winger Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha, widely known as Nani, announced his retirement from professional football on Sunday at the age of 38.
Nani joined Manchester United in 2007, making 230 appearances and scoring 41 goals during his eight-season tenure. He enjoyed remarkable success at the club, winning the Champions League in his debut season, four Premier League titles, and two League Cups.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Nani said:
“The time has come to say goodbye. I have decided to finish my career as a professional player. It has been an amazing journey, and I want to thank everyone who supported me through the highs and lows of a career spanning over 20 years, filled with unforgettable memories. It’s time to embrace new challenges and focus on new goals and dreams. See you soon!”
Nani most recently played for his hometown club, Estrela Amadora, in Portugal’s top division, with his final match taking place last month against his former team, Sporting CP. Over the years, his career included stints with Valencia, Lazio, Orlando City, Venezia, Melbourne Victory, and Adana Demirspor.
Internationally, Nani earned 112 caps for Portugal, scoring 24 goals. Among his notable achievements was winning the European Championship with his national team in 2016.
