Nani Interview: Don't compare me to Ronaldo

Manchester United's winger Nani has been an integral part of the team this season, providing tantalising crosses, and constantly threatening defenders on the wing, leaving them for dead when he turns inside and unleashes a belter into the top corner. 

His nine goals have all been pretty special, while his delivery and creativity has made 11 goals for his teammates. In short, Nani is a devastatingly explosive winger, with the fantastic ability to produce moments of magic at any given time.

The player himself recognises that this season has been a special one, but despite similarities in their playing style, as well as obvious similarities such as nationality, he refuses to be compared with Cristiano Ronaldo:

"It is my best season at United. I don’t compare myself to Ronaldo or anyone else, I just think about myself and the club and what I can do for them. I hope to improve much more.

“It is good to have that many goals and assists but the most important thing is to win the trophies with the team. When I have won the trophies I will look back at how I have contributed.

“It is good for your confidence to know people are looking at you to win matches for the team. When you are on the pitch, it means you want the ball all the time because everything is going so well.

Nani is always looking to improve however, just like all good footballers do, while keeping himself in top physical condition so he is always ready for competitive football. Despite Ronaldo's move to Madrid, him and Nani are still very much in touch:

“I know, though, that I can do better. That is why I’m training hard every day and staying fit for every game.”

“We are good friends. He spoke to me before the Marseille game and wished me good luck. He always tells me how well I am doing.

“I know people liken me to Cristiano but I just want to be Nani, a good player who people enjoy watching.”

Nani wasn't always a first team regular however, mainly because of Ronaldo's massive presence in the team, and he spoke of his increased frustration at being left on the bench:

“I have ambition and it is not easy to give up on Manchester United. But at the same time, you come to this club to play.”

His manager Sir Alex Ferguson was not going to let him go in any case - he saw his exciting potential, and is delighted that the potential has been realised this season:

“Nani wasn’t close to leaving because he’d have had to get by me! Of course we sat down and talked. You do that with all your players.

“I don’t need to trumpet his improvement, he’s been consistent all season. He’s a match winner – he creates goals and he scores goals. Every time he gets near the ball, you think something special is going to happen. That’s the sign of a great player.”