Nani (footballer)

Nani fullname Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha (b. 17 November 1986 in Amadora) is a Portuguese football (soccer) midfielder, currently plays for Sporting Lisbon.

Football career

Nani start his career at Real Sport Clube de Massamá before joining Sporting Lisbon youth system.

He has been tipped for his dribbling abilities which resemble those of Cristiano Ronaldo or Ricardo Quaresma (both of which also came from the Sporting Academy). Nani, who wears the number 18, scored 6 goals in the 2005/2006 season ( 5 league goals and 1 cup goal ). Though he has proven himself to be a very talented player he has yet to become a regular starter and usually is a substitute for Carlos Martins. He can play on both flanks in an attacking midfielder role, though his best position is at centre, making runs for the left wing. Nani played for the Portuguese U-21 side which took part in the U-21 Euro Championship 2006, together with his team mates João Moutinho and Custódio. Nani has just recently been called to the Portuguese National team for their games against Denmark and Finland (Euro 2008 Qualifier) and has played very well on both occations, even managing to hit the post in the game againt Denmark. He wears the number 32 on the Selecção and in the two games hes played, he has been a workhorse, always going after every loose ball and challenging defenders.

In the first two games of the Portuguese League Nani has scored on both occations. In the game vs Boavista FC Nani scored the first of 3 eventual Sporting goals, and in the game vs CD Nacional he scored the first and only goal in a 1-0 win for Sporting. Nani has signed a contract with sporting until 2010 with a buy out fee of 25 million euros and looks to have a very positive furture ahead of him. And given his recent form for both club and Nation team he may have more opportunities to prove himself to Luis Felipe Scolari and scouts around the world. He has again been called by Scolari for the up-coming matches against Azerbajan and Poland.

Manchester United are reportedly set to beat a host of top European club clubs for Nani's signature. Due to a co-operation agreement between United and Sporting, the Red Devils already have first refusal on the player and look set to use it to their advantage. The deal looks likely to go through in January with the distinct possibility of Nani staying at Sporting until the end of the season.

Matches played in the 2006/2007 season for Sporting: 5

Goals in the current 2006/2007 Portuguese League: 3

National Team appearances: 4

External links

• UEFA.com short bios.
• [1] Nani's Official Profile.