- A former Manchester United four-time title-winner has got involved in politics
- He was seen in a promotional poster for the Portuguese Communists and Greens
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A former Manchester United star has proven red runs deeper than just his kit colour – by pledging his support for the Portuguese left-wing coalition.
Nani, who coincidentally played on the left wing for the Red Devils, was pictured in promotional content for the coalition between the Portuguese Communist Party and the Greens.
Portugal’s citizens will go to the polls on Sunday for their third general election in as many years after centre-right Prime Minister Luis Montenegro lost a vote of confidence in March.
Nani was pictured smiling in a digital poster for the Democratic Unitary Coalition (CDU) in recent days with the slogan ‘eu apoio’ – I support – as per L’Equipe and RMC. They campaigned under the banner of ‘wages, pensions, health, housing and peace’.
However, despite being widespread on news websites and social media, Mail Sport was unable to find the poster on any of the parties’ social media or websites, nor on Nani’s.
Nani, 38, retired from football in December after a distinguished career which saw him win four Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the European Championship with Portugal.
Nani has apparently pledged his support for a Portuguese coalition between the Portuguese Communist Party and the Greens
The former Manchester United star hunge up his boots in April after a trophy-laden career
Portugal will have its third general election in three years after Prime Minister Luis Montenegro lost a vote of confidence in March
He spent eight seasons on the books at Old Trafford, scoring 40 goals in 230 games, after joining United from Sporting Lisbon aged 20 in 2007 for about £17million.
The winger went on to play for Fenerbahce, Valencia, Lazio, Sporting again, Orlando City, Venezia, Melbourne Victory, Adana Demirspor, and finally Estrela Amadora in Portugal’s top division.
His final came came against his boyhood club Sporting on November 1.
‘The time has come to say goodbye, I have decided to finish my career as a professional player,’ he said.
‘It’s been an amazing ride and I wanted to thank every single person who has helped me and supported me through the highs and lows during a career which lasted over 20 years and gave me so many unforgettable memories.
‘Time to turn a new leaf and focus on new goals and dreams.’
Raised in poverty, Nani comes from Santa Filomena, a shanty town built on the hillside overlooking Amadora northwest of Lisbon.
His parents brought him there from the African islands of Cape Verde when he was young. When he was seven, his father Domingos returned there on holiday and didn’t come back. His mother, Maria do Ceu, left Portugal for the Netherlands.
And so he was raised by his auntie Antonia and her family, often sleeping six to a room with his brother and cousins with iron bars protecting the windows.
