Nani: The File …
Telegraph: The Portuguese winger signed by Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon, is being touted as the new Cristiano Ronaldo and there are many similarities between the two.
Both have come from poor backgrounds, have had to uproot themselves at a young age, have come through the ranks of Sporting’s famed youth academy and overcome adversity on their way to the top. They are also players who can thrill the crowds.
Nani, whose correct name is Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha, was born in the Cape Verde Islands, a former Portuguese colony off the west coast of Africa now becoming a popular tourist haven.
He was just a toddler when he moved with his parents to where they set up base in Amadora, a small town near Lisbon. They lived in poverty, but Nani’s football career has helped lift them out of it.
Nani first joined a local team called Real de Massama before joining Sporting’s youth system. He nearly joined Sporting’s rivals, Benfica, but they were put off by his foreign passport and the fact that he was so frail. But Sporting were prepared to take him on straight away.
Nani’s progress through the ranks was rapid and he made his debut at the age of 18 when he came on as substitute in a Portuguese league match against Maritimo. He played 29 league matches in his first season, scoring four times, as well as one goal in seven cup games.
In September, Nani scored on his Portuguese international debut against Denmark and in successive league games against Boavista and Maritimo. He ended the season in style, with Sporting finishing runners-up in the league to champions Porto and winning the Portuguese cup.
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Guardian: Of the two new arrivals, Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha, or Nani, comes with an established reputation. Born in Amadora, where he grew up playing street football with Manuel Fernandes, recently on loan at Everton, he began his career at his local club, Real de Massama, on the outskirts of Lisbon. While Fernandes veered towards Benfica, Nani was spotted by the Sporting academy scouts and, once ensconced in the youth team programme, he followed Luis Figo, Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma as a winger of rare talent progressing into the first team. A senior debut followed at 18, with Nani established in Sporting’s ranks through the 2005-06 season as a jinking winger, all mesmeric footwork and searing pace. He may not boast the speed of Ronaldo but he can match his compatriot’s trickery and menacing intent.
There was even a goal in his international debut against Denmark last September, complete with trademark back-flip celebration, and a stunning Champions League arrival. An hour into his second appearance in the competition he picked up the ball just inside Spartak Moscow’s half, exchanged passes with his team-mate Liedson, then burst through the defence and rounded the goalkeeper to score. He was 19 at the time. “He is so quick and has unbelievable skill,” said his Sporting team-mate Miguel Veloso. “He’s also deceptively strong, which should help him [in England]. He is young but he has everything going for him.”
