Soccer is one of the rare sports where, regardless of one’s background, talent and perseverance can carry anyone to the top. That was the path of Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha—better known as Nani—who rose from extreme poverty to being hailed as Cristiano Ronaldo’s successor. Now, he’s taken an unexpected turn: entering the world of politics.
As a child, Nani lived with his mother and eight siblings in a one-bedroom house plagued by rats and lizards. His father, stranded and unable to return from Cape Verde, was absent. For young Nani, the biggest challenge wasn’t winning matches in Lisbon—it was finding something to eat each day.
With no consistent access to food, water, or even a proper home, soccer became his salvation. He played for various youth clubs, often without equipment or coaching. Friends and family helped pave the way: his best friend Sabino brought him to his first training session, and his older brother Paulo Roberto kept him on a disciplined path—unlike many of their peers.
By age 16, his talent had earned him training stints with both Sporting CP and Benfica. In 2003, he officially signed with Sporting. That first contract allowed Nani to reunite with his father in Cape Verde and bring him back to Portugal—one of the early victories in his life off the field.
In 2005, he made his first-team debut at Sporting, quickly drawing interest from several European clubs at the early stages of his career. After winning the Taça de Portugal in 2006–07, Nani consulted with agent Jorge Mendes, who advised a move to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
A bittersweet ride at Manchester United
Ferguson personally spoke to Nani, and United paid €25.5 million to secure the 20-year-old winger. Alongside Anderson and Cristiano Ronaldo—also Mendes clients—the club envisioned a Portuguese core to define its future.
Nani’s adaptation process to the team was instant, to the point that it was highlighted by the own Ferguson years later: “Ronaldo was extraordinary, a player who will never be born again. But it took him time to adapt and develop in English football. I think Nani has done this much faster,” said Ferguson to The Telegraph.
One of the best moments of his career came in the 2007-08 season, when Manchester United won the UEFA Champions League final over Chelsea, were Nani got subbed in the 101st minute of extra time for Wayne Rooney. The Portuguese scored his penalty in the shootout, and with Edwin Van der Sar’s decisive save to Nicolas Anelka, Nani secured his first CL trophy.
Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or in 2008, and one year later Real Madrid signed him in a record deal. Now with Ronaldo out of the team, it was time for Nani to assume the protagonism and be the star of the team. United enjoyed some other great moments by winning two more Premier Leagues (10/11 and 12/13), but Nani was far from turning into the main star just like Ronaldo.
In the 2012-13 Premier League, injuries highly affected Nani, who was only able to complete 11 appearances with only one goal and three assists. Another of the turning points has been Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, with David Moyes being appointed as the new Manchester United coach.
Under the English coach, he suffered a severe hamstring injury in December 2013, making Nani to lose his position in the team and only perform 13 games in the entire 13-14 season with only 1 goal. After seven years with United, Nani returned to Sporting on loan in 2014, closing a chapter filled with promise and frustration.
A global soccer journey
Once a wonderkid with the world at his feet, Nani was sold in 2015 to Fenerbahce for €6 million—less than a quarter of what United had paid eight years earlier. Since that point, Nani started he began a globe-trotting career.
Between fees and signings as free agent, Nani ended up playing in 7 different countries: Portugal (Sporting CP, Estrela da Amadora), England (Manchester United), Turkey (Fenerbahce, Adana Demirspor), Italy (Lazio, Venezia), the United States (Orlando City), and Australia (Melbourne Victory).
Though his most successful club years came under Ferguson, his crowning achievement came with Portugal’s national team by winning the 2016 UEFA European Championship with a dramatic 1–0 victory over France. It was the nation’s first major international title.
Nani and a new chapter of his life: Politics
At age 38, while playing for Estrela da Amadora, Nani announced his retirement from professional soccer in December 2024 via an emotional Instagram video. Even longtime friend Cristiano Ronaldo commented: “Congratulations, Nanaca,” using his personal nickname for him.
Just months later, in 2025, Nani made headlines for a new reason—stepping into politics. Ahead of Portugal’s legislative elections on May 18, he publicly backed the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) and their Democratic Unitarian Coalition (CDU). Though the PCP earned just 3% of the vote and maintained only three seats in Parliament, Nani’s support brought unexpected attention to the party.
Regardless of political outcomes, Nani’s story remains remarkable. From a childhood in a home overrun by rats to international stardom—and now civic involvement—he has continued to defy the odds. His aim now? To give back to the country that once lifted him up, this time through action and advocacy.
