Nani is making a remarkable comeback to football at the age of 39. The Portuguese former international has signed a contract with FC Aktobe in Kazakhstan. In November 2024, Nani played his last official match.
The wing attacker retired from professional football at the end of 2024 after his period at CF Estrela Amadora. Yet the Kazakh Aktobe managed to tempt him to return. On social media, Nani said she is looking forward to contributing to the development of the club and football in Kazakhstan. “I was very impressed with the club’s vision for the future and will do everything I can to take us to new heights, both at home and abroad.”
Nani signed for one year in Kazakhstan. Aktobe finished fifth in the Kazakh league last season. The temperatures are currently around -16 degrees. The Portuguese will not only be active on the field. His new employer said that Nani will also play “an expanded role within the club’s development project”.
Nani previously played for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe, Valencia, Lazio, Orlando City and Adana Demirspor. With United he won the Premier League four times and the Champions League in 2008. He played 111 international matches for Portugal and won the 2016 European Championship. He played his last official match on November 1, 2024. He was then allowed to substitute for 38 minutes against Sporting CP as a player for CF Estrela Amadora.
In episode 25 of the second season of Tijd voor Voetbal, we discuss the remarkable VAR decisions in Belgium, the difficult start of Club Brugge and the loss of RSC Anderlecht against KAA Gent. That and much more in Time for Football.
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