Nani: The Rise Of a Star

Name: Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha "aka Nani"
Nationality: Portuguese
National Caps: 34
Age: 23
Current Club: Manchester United
Previous Club: Sporting CP

Nani has shown in recent games that his found some form and grown in maturity, the winger who was rumoured to be on his way out not so long ago, has started to find himself in the starting eleven.

Quick, skillful and bold is the approach that makes Nani so exciting to watch, with a new found self confidence his willing to take on defenders and using his trickery getting passed them.

Previously Nani would find himself in situations where he could pass the ball but would rather take a wild shot at goal, ending up in just bitter disappointment and frustration.

Nowadays his been servicing the likes of Rooney, Berbatov and company and scoring some of his own. Nani was brought to Old Trafford back in 2007, but was a rough diamond and always overshadowed by his countryman Cristiano Ronaldo.

Since Ronaldo's departure to Madrid, Nani started the season on a low and his performance added to the speculation that his on his way out, but in early December Nani started proving himself and began gaining confidence, by January Sir Alex gave him more first team opportunities and he grabbed them with both hands.

Nani is a player that relies on confidence, which allows him to express himself and this confidence is what you see when his doing step-overs successfully, running down the wing passing defenders, putting in killer crosses, creating chances and at times taking chances and scoring. It's all a result of great confidence, because his not a very technical player like Giggs, or Scholes he relies on his individual artistry.

His performances against Bayern Munich and Spurs has been the stand-out performances for the month of April and could be pivotal in the race for a League title.

Nani will now have to continue with his contributions as United have two more vitally important games left, away to Sunderland and at home to Stoke.

Hoping for some help from Liverpool, if Chelsea slip up even with a draw United could be in with a chance for a fourth consecutive title.

Nani, will also look to impress at this years World Cup to be played down south. Portugal are drawn in what seems to be the most exciting group alongside Brazil, Ivory Coast and Korea DPR.

Portugal will play their first group match against Ivory Coast at the newly built Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth (15/06/2010) (49 000 Capacity)

Then Portugal will travel to Cape Town, where they will face Korea DPR at another new stadium, Cape Town Stadium (69 000 Capacity) on the 21st June 2010

The last of the Group matches will see Portugal up against the five times world champions Brazil at the 70 000 seater Moses Mabhida Stadium in lovely Durban on the 25th June 2010.

With a huge Portuguese population in South Africa and surrounding countries massive crowds are expected at all there games.

With thousands of fans hoping to see Cristiano Ronaldo in action, as the Madrista Superstar was not present during Manchester United's last tour to South Africa.