Former Manchester United winger Nani has confirmed his retirement after a glittering 19-year career in a heartbreaking social media post to his fans.
The 38-year-old won the Premier League four times and the Champions League once for the Red Devils, all under Sir Alex Ferguson, before completing a memorable Euro 2016 victory with Portugal.
He had joined Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 at the age of 20, following in the footsteps of compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, and became a first-team regular in his opening season.
The skilful man was present in the final days of United's dominant era, remaining at the club when the reins were passed from Sir Alex to David Moyes, before returning to boyhood club Sporting for a loan spell in 2015.
Nani's trickery continued to defy his age and remain effective at the top level and he enjoyed prolific spells in Turkey with Fenerbahce, in Spain with Valencia and in Italy with Lazio.
He has now called time on a remarkable career back in his home country after making 10 appearances for top team Estrela Amadora this season, and announced the decision in an emotional post on X.
In a video showcasing some of his finest moments, he told his followers: 'As everyone knows, everything comes to an end and at this moment I have taken the time to make a very important decision in my professional life , namely the decision to stop playing as a professional player.
“I'm going to hang up my boots, as they say, but I do so with a sense of duty fulfilled, mission accomplished, as an athlete, as a teammate and as a professional.
'I believe it has been a great career, a career full of many achievements and for that reason the time has come when it is important to make this decision.
'The opportunities that have now come my way indicate that I am ready to continue on these new paths. For example, the academy that I am building here for young people, where I can work with them and enjoy these wonderful moments.
'The difficult moments I have recently experienced, such as the loss of my father not so long ago, have made me realize that I want to spend more time with my family, I want to make the most of my time with my wife, my children , my mother, my brothers and sisters, cousins, uncles and aunts. They need me too and I need to be with them because it is very important.
“I couldn't leave without sharing this message with you and thanking everyone who helped me achieve all my goals, all those titles, all those battles and overcome every obstacle that came my way.
“Football has given me so much, it has brought me so many opportunities and I believe that at this moment it is my duty to give back everything that football has given me. I now have a great opportunity to do that.
'So a big hug to everyone. Thank you and see you soon.'
He added a note alongside the video saying: 'It's time to say goodbye, I've decided to end my career as a professional player.
'It's been an amazing ride and I wanted to thank everyone who helped and supported me through the highs and lows of a career that has lasted more than twenty years and given me so many unforgettable memories.
'Time to take a new path and focus on new goals and dreams. See you soon! Obliged. Thank you. Thank you. Grazie. Teşekkürler.'
Born Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha, Nani was born in the Amadora district of Lisbon and joined the club's youth squad from previous team Real Massama in 2003 at the age of 16.
After ten goals in 71 games for the Portuguese side, he was bought by United for £21 million and lived with Ronaldo at the start of his spell in Manchester.
Within one season he was a Premier League and Champions League winner and made 40 appearances in all competitions in a campaign in which he terrorized defenses with his pace, skill and precise crossings.
Nani came on as a substitute for Wayne Rooney in the final in Moscow and scored a decisive fifth penalty as they defeated Chelsea in a shoot-out.
After Ronaldo left for Real Madrid in 2009, it was up to his compatriot, who had performed less in his second season, to become first choice on the wing.
In the seasons that followed, Nani took his United goal tally to 41 from 230 games and won two more league titles, two League Cups and two English Super Cups. He received the club's Player of the Year award in 2011 after scoring 10 goals and providing 19 assists in that campaign.
The winger was nominated for the Ballon d'Or at the end of 2011 and had another fine season as United narrowly missed out on the title to rivals Man City in the 2011-12 season.
After struggling with form and injuries for a few seasons, Nani returned to Sporting on loan and scored twelve goals in 37 appearances for his old side before being transferred to Fenerbahce in 2015.
It was thanks to a solid first season in Turkey that the Portuguese graced Euro 2016 with a decisive goal in the group stage and two assists in the next two rounds, as well as a crucial penalty in the quarter-final.
After scoring the second goal in a 2-0 win over Wales in the semi-final, Nani led Portugal to an unlikely final victory over hosts France after Ronaldo had to leave with an injury in the first half.
The wide man then traveled regularly for the remaining eight years of his career, winning a Portuguese League and League Cup double for Sporting in 2019 before heading to the US with Orlando, Australia with Melbourne Victory and back to Turkey with Adana Demirspor.
Nani capped a sensational career with 128 goals and 145 assists in 616 club games. He is fifth on the all-time list of Portuguese appearances, playing 112 matches and scoring 24 times.
Many of his goals were celebrated with an acrobatic somersault celebration, which Sir Alex reportedly banned. Nani later dismissed these claims.
The winger has vowed to continue his work recruiting young footballers in Portugal and spending more time with his family, including his wife Daniela Martins and son Lucas, who signed for Sporting Youth last year.
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