Nani, the former Manchester United star, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 38. The talented winger shared his decision in an emotional three-minute video on social media, captioning it:

“The time has come to say goodbye. 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 that lasted over 20 years and gave me so many unforgettable memories. Time to turn a new leaf and focus on new goals and dreams. See you soon!”

His retirement comes as a surprise, especially since he was actively playing for Estrella Amadora in Portugal’s top flight, where he had made 10 appearances this season. Nani cited the recent passing of his father as a significant factor in his decision, prompting him to reflect on his priorities and spend more time with his family. He expressed his desire to be present for his loved ones, stating:

“I want to make the most of my time with my children, my wife, my mother, my siblings, cousins, uncles, and aunts. They also need me, and I need to be with them, which is very important.”

Nani is best known for his successful tenure at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League, and the League Cup twice. He also played a pivotal role in Portugal’s victory at the 2016 UEFA European Championship alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. During his time at United, he made 230 appearances and scored 40 goals.

After his stint at United, Nani had various spells, including loans at Sporting Lisbon, and later playing for clubs like Fenerbahçe, Valencia, Lazio, Orlando City, Venezia, Melbourne Victory, and Adana Demirspor.

Hints about his future were evident when he purchased fourth-division side SU Sintrense last summer, expressing excitement for the project and its connection to his roots:

“I am very happy to be part of this project. I hope to add value to the club. Sintrense is an opportunity for me to do something interesting. It is very important for me that they are close to the area where I grew up. I hope it will be a successful project.”

Nani’s retirement marks the end of an illustrious playing career, but it seems he is poised to continue contributing to the sport in a new capacity.