- Football
- Callum Vurley
Former Manchester United star Nani is absolutely shredded as he prepares for Soccer Aid after a nightmare year in Australia.
The Portuguese winger played for United between 2007 and 2015 and is yet to hang up his boots.
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But the 36-year-old has not given up crafting his physique and he could give close pal Cristiano Ronaldo a run for his money.
Nani is often spotted in the gym where he combines a range of sprint drills with strength work as he looks to enter the 19th year of his professional career.
Whereas many Premier League fans might remember the winger for his tricky skills and somewhat lightweight frame, that has completely changed.
Years of dedication have left the former Red Devils ace looking like he was carved straight out of a Michelangelo sculpture.
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He started hitting the gym hard over lockdown in 2020 when he was with Orlando City, emerging from the Covid crisis with bulging biceps.
Fans were left shocked when he posted pictures looking seriously ripped with rock-hard abs.
His Instagram page is almost entirely full of posts of himself further bulking out at the gym, putting in intense workouts as he keeps himself in tip-top shape.
For years, Nani was seen as Ronaldo's understudy at Old Trafford, perhaps unfairly, but his body transformation might leave fans double-guessing who is who if they were to meet again.
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When he joined the Red Devils, he lived with Ronaldo as he got used to life in Manchester while the two came up through the Sporting academy.
And the veteran star remains as dedicated to United as he ever was despite an acrimonious exit under Louis van Gaal in 2015 when he played just once.
"I’ll tell you the truth, it will never be the same after leaving Manchester United to play for another club," Nani said in 2020.
“As a club, as a structure, the quality, everyone knows that I’m not offending anybody. Man United is Man United, all over the world."
Nani was even present at Wembley earlier this month when United took on Manchester City for the FA Cup where he appeared as a pundit alongside former teammate Dimitar Berbatov.
After Van Gaal effectively kicked him out of United for just £4million, he signed for Fenerbahce but there were no signs that his career was slowing down.
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Nani spent just one year in Turkey before signing for Valencia in 2016 and then Lazio on loan, where he scored 11 times in 18 Serie A games.
It showed there was life in the old dog yet but he preferred a return to his roots, joining boyhood club Sporting in 2018 for a season, banging in nine goals.
At the age of 32, Orlando City made the call and Nani made the move to the United States where he became one of the MLS' biggest stars.
He would spend three years in Florida where he scored 31 times in 88 appearances but his time in Europe was not done yet.
He signed for Venezia on a short-term deal in 2021 before making the trip across the globe to Melbourne City where injury cruelly ended his time early.
The United icon might be hoping to show off his skills at Soccer Aid on Sunday when he makes a grand return to Old Trafford.
That is because he has just been released by Melbourne Victory a year into a two-year deal at the Australian club.
It has made him a free agent and he is on the lookout for a new club ahead of next season and told talkSPORT ahead of Sunday's game that he is not about to quit just yet.
Nani moved Down Under last July after a six-month stint at Venezia in Italy was mutually terminated.
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But his time in Melbourne was not much better after making just 10 appearances for the club before injury struck.
His last game for the club came in January when he suffered a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament against Brisbane Roar.
It ruled the winger out for the rest of the season and the decision was made in May to release him from his contract.
Nani confirmed his exit from the AAMI Park shortly after, ending his latest stint on a journeyman career post-United which has taken him from Turkey to the United States.
"As I conclude my time at the club, I would like thank all of you for the love and support over the season, on and off the pitch," he said.
"Unfortunately, the injury I suffered prevented me from helping the club as I had intended to.
"But I will still cherish the time I spent in Australia dearly.
"I would also like to thank the club staff and the A-League for making me feel at home.
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"I wish everyone in Melbourne all the best in the future, and will always be a supporter of MVFC."
It is a small miracle that Nani will be able to play any part in Sunday's clash but it comes as no surprise to those who know him.
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At the age of 36, the ex-Red Devils entertainer is still absolutely ripped and he has shown off his physique on Instagram.
It is a shame Tommy Fury is on the same side or we could have had a Sunday showdown between the Battle of the Bods at Soccer Aid.
