Former Manchester United and Portugal winger Nani has announced his retirement from professional football.
The 38-year-old had been playing for his hometown club Estrela Amadora in the Portuguese top flight this season, but has decided to hang up his boots.
Manchester United also announced this on their website.
“The time has come to say goodbye,” he said on social media. “I have decided to finish my career as a professional player.
“It’s been an amazing ride and I wanted to thank every single person who has helped me and supported me, through the highs and lows, during a career which lasted over 20 years and gave me so many unforgettable memories.
“Time to turn a new leaf and focus on new goals and dreams.”
Nani’s career was marked by numerous achievements, including a Champions League title and four Premier League titles during his eight-year stint at Manchester United.
He joined the Red Devils from Sporting in June 2007 for a reported £21m and went on to make 230 appearances for the club, scoring 41 goals.
One of Nani’s most memorable seasons was the 2010-11 campaign, where he was named the club’s players’ player of the year and included in the PFA’s Premier League team of the year. His 14 league assists that season were the most by any player.
After leaving Manchester United, Nani went on to play for several clubs, including Valencia, Lazio, Sporting, Orlando City, Venezia, Melbourne Victory, Adana Demirspor, and finally Estrela Amadora.
His experience and expertise were sought after by many teams, and he consistently delivered impressive performances throughout his career.
On the international stage, Nani was a key player for Portugal, scoring 24 goals in 112 caps. One of his most notable achievements was helping his country win the Euro 2016 title.
His speed, skill, and vision on the pitch made him a fan favorite, and he will be remembered as one of the most talented wingers of his generation.
