Manchester United cult hero Nani has revealed that he has always offered “advice” to one former Red Devils player and would “always be positive with him.”
Sir Alex Ferguson brought Nani to Old Trafford from Sporting CP in 2007 and the Portuguese winger enjoyed silverware success at Manchester United.
Nani, who signed for Primeira Liga side Estrela da Amadora in July, lifted four Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and three League Cups.
The 37-year-old Estrela da Amadora player showed moments of pure brilliance during his time at Old Trafford, but Nani struggled to consistently deliver for United.
Nani continued playing at United after legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 before he returned to Sporting CP for a loan spell in 2014.
The former United star left Old Trafford in 2015 after returning from his loan spell at Sporting CP and went on to sign for Turkish side Fenerbahce.
Nani’s advice to ex-Man Utd player
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Nani has candidly opened up about his relationship with Angel Gomes and the midfielder’s success post-Old Trafford.
Angel Gomes came through the Manchester United youth academy and struggled to establish himself as a regular in the Red Devils first team.
The 24-year-old former United player left Old Trafford in 2020 and signed for Lille, with Gomes now making his presence felt at the Ligue 1 side.
Gomes’ impressive spell earned him his first England call-up under interim Three Lions manager Lee Carsley for the September international break.
Nani, who is godfather to Gomes, has now revealed that he told the former United academy product that he would one day be a “superstar.”
“I’d ask him all the time to do some tricks with the ball and every time he wanted to show me something new,” he said.
“I’d always be positive with him. ‘You’ll be a superstar one day Angel.’
“Every time Angel needed advice, I was able to give it. I always tried to teach what I think I can give to the young kids to improve their game, help them, motivate them to be even better each day.
“I’m happy Angel listened and took on board some of the things I said. It’s so nice to know I was with him in those early days and we had the chance to be together and enjoy those moments. He’s such a good kid.”
Nani refused to teach Gomes one thing
Gomes spoke highly of United cult hero Nani and the influence that the former Portugal international had on him while he was growing up.
Nani has now admitted that Gomes wanted to learn his iconic backflip celebration and he hilariously refused to teach the Lille star how to do it.
“Yeah, that was too dangerous!” he said.
“I know how much training went into being able to do that backflip – and the costs that can be involved – so I didn’t advise him to try that!”
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