Luis Nani Biography

Luis Nani – Biography

Full Name: Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha
Date of Birth: November 17, 1986
Place of Birth Praia, Cape Verde
Height: 1.75m
Clubs: Sporting
Manchester United

Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha (Nani) is Manchester United and Portugal’s latest footballing sensation. He normally plays as a winger, though he is equally adept in the middle.

Nani was born in Praia, Cape Verde, but emigrated with his family to Portugal at an early age. He grew up in the Amadora district of Lisbon. Nani started his career in junior football at Real de Massamá before joining the youth setup at Sporting.

Nani made his debut for the Sporting first team in the 2005-06 season, in which he made 32 appearances and scored five goals. In the 2006-07 season, he was again a regular, making 29 appearances for the first team and scoring five goals. He also played three games in the Portuguese Cup, which Sporting won, as well as six Champions League matches, scoring one goal.

In May 2007, Sporting and Manchester United agreed an undisclosed fee for Nani to sign for the Manchester club. Nani passed his medical at United’s Carrington training ground on 6 June 2007, before being confirmed as a Manchester United player on 2 July.

On 9 July, Nani was revealed to the press along with fellow newcomer Owen Hargreaves. He was handed the number 17 shirt for the 2007-08 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 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.

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. He scored his first goal in United’s 1-0 win over Spurs, and should go on to bag plenty more this season.