Sport
“I’m Going to Hang Up My Boots” – Nani Announces Retirement After 19-Year Football Career
Former Manchester United winger Nani has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 38.
The Portuguese star, who made a significant mark on the game over a career spanning nearly two decades, revealed the news on Sunday.
Nani, who was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2007 from Sporting CP, spent a memorable part of his career at Manchester United.
His arrival was seen as part of Ferguson’s long-term vision to strengthen the squad, and during his time at Old Trafford, Nani became an essential figure.
He helped United secure several major trophies, including four Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy in 2008.
In 2015, after eight years at Manchester United, Nani left to join Turkish side Fenerbahçe on a permanent deal, marking the start of a new chapter in his career.
He would go on to play for several more clubs across different leagues, including Valencia, Lazio, and a recent stint at Estrela Amadora, which he joined in early 2024.
Throughout his 19-year career, Nani played for a total of 10 clubs, scoring 130 goals in over 620 appearances.
While his club career brought him much success, he also made an impact on the international stage, earning over 100 caps for Portugal and winning the European Championship in 2016.
In his retirement statement, Nani reflected on his remarkable journey: “As everyone knows, everything comes to an end,” he said.
“I’ve taken the time to make a very important decision, perhaps the most important of my professional life, which is the decision to stop playing as a professional player.
I’m going to, as they say, hang up my boots. But I do so with a sense of duty fulfilled.”
He added, “I believe it was a beautiful career, filled with many achievements.”
Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has predicted a sensational World Cup final showdown between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
If it happens, the final would see Argentina take on Portugal, featuring two of football’s greatest stars facing off on the sport’s biggest stage. Despite being in the later stages of their careers, Messi and Ronaldo continue to command global respect and remain standout performers, now playing in the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer for Al-Nassr and Inter Miami, respectively.
Messi led Argentina to glory at the 2022 World Cup, while Ronaldo is still chasing his first World Cup final appearance with Portugal. Both stars are expected to compete in the next edition of the tournament, set to kick off next summer, which many believe could be their final World Cup.
Speaking to Stake.com, Evra described the potential clash as the perfect finale for two football legends. “That would be like the last Marvel movie. Everyone would stop to watch,” he said. “Two legends, one last dance, everyone would tune in.”
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed that he turned down a massive offer from Paris Saint-Germain for Victor Osimhen.
According to De Laurentiis, PSG had proposed more than €200 million for a package deal that would have included both Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. While Kvaratskhelia eventually joined the French club in January 2025, Osimhen went on loan to Galatasaray in the summer of 2024.
Speaking to Corriere della Sera, De Laurentiis admitted he now regrets not accepting the offer but stressed that manager Antonio Conte was against the transfer.
“PSG offered over €200 million for Osimhen and Kvara together,” he said. “But I had promised Conte I would keep Osimhen, and I didn’t want to go back on my word. The plan with that money was to sign Gyokeres.”
Newcastle icon Alan Shearer has urged Alexander Isak to part ways with his agent, blaming him for the chaos surrounding the striker’s transfer saga this summer.
Isak, alongside his representative, is reportedly pushing for a move to Liverpool, but Newcastle blocked the deal after rejecting the Reds’ opening £110m bid. The fallout escalated when the Swedish forward accused the Magpies of breaking promises and betraying his trust, a claim the club quickly dismissed in an official response.
Reacting to the drama, Shearer didn’t hold back, telling Betfair that Isak’s agent has turned the situation into a disaster. He stressed that the forward should sack him immediately, especially since the agent advised Isak to sign a six-year deal with no release clause, leaving Newcastle in full control of his future.
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