The Nani revival. It has to be one of the great success stories of the season.
Not just on the pitch has the Manchester United winger Nani silenced the doubters, but inside the Sporting CP locker room and even away from the club, the Portugal international is rewriting his reputation.
The 27 year-old has been an absolute revelation for Sporting this season. Only twice has Sporting scored without Nani on the pitch and by the beginning of this month, he had been directly involved in 13 of their 24 goals. More stunning is that Nani has managed a staggering 46 shots on target, with the next best at Sporting being Adrien Silva with 26.
And the big surprise for Premier League fans is Nani's foul count - only midfield teammate William Carvalho has been pulled up more at Sporting. Coaching staff insist Nani's numbers simply show the amount of work the midfield ace is now doing off the ball.
But while the cynics are now eating their words, Nani's stunning career reversal comes as no surprise to Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho.
For the past three years, Nani's return has been a personal project for De Carvalho.
"I met him three years ago at a restaurant where he was having lunch, I went and told him that he had in front of him the man who would bring him back to Sporting. He answered, 'I hope so, I hope so'," recalled the president.
De Carvalho made good on his promise, bringing Nani back to Sporting as part of Marcos Rojo's sale to United - and doing so without a fee involved.
And since that day in August, when over 8,000 fans welcomed Nani as he touched down at Lisbon airport, he hasn't looked back.
Sporting coach Marco Silva is excited working with the midfielder and says the key has been his fitness - and the player's willingness to take responsibility for staying in shape.
"We knew the quality of Nani, but we were also aware of the physical problems he had in the last two years," recalled Silva.
"Therefore at Sporting, the technical team and in this case the medical department, were concerned if he could get through 90 minutes regularly. But he has not only done it once, he's already played a full 11 or 12 games at high intensity and with four games in four days."
Silva continued: "He's done a very good job in pre-match and post-match care. So for us, fortunately, the physical problems have been overcome. Without these concerns, he's now reaching his very best."
Nani's brother, Jose Almeida, goes further, revealing the midfielder's commitment includes a personal yoga and meditation teacher.
"He has his own gym at home and has a person who works with him exclusively, to keep him relaxed and focused.
"He's a Portuguese expert who had been with him in Manchester and has now accompanied him on his return to Lisbon. He does yoga with Nani, does meditation, they do several things. They work on concentration, relaxation, stretching the muscles and improving his quick thinking."
Being home with the family is rubbing off on Nani.
Jorge Almeida continues: "In Lisbon he has the affection of our mother every day, which is an indispensable thing. The warmth of our mother is not replaceable by anything. Also our family is very happy, we have many nephews, we're a big and cheerful family and that contact gives him very positive energy."
That positive energy has surged through Nani this season, where he is now one of the great stars of the Primeira Liga. As Silva opines, Nani's influence on his young squad is proving invaluable.
"For the quality, experience and what he is to the younger players, he is very important. He is a great influence," says the coach.
Not just on the pitch has the Manchester United winger Nani silenced the doubters, but inside the Sporting CP locker room and even away from the club, the Portugal international is rewriting his reputation.
The 27 year-old has been an absolute revelation for Sporting this season. Only twice has Sporting scored without Nani on the pitch and by the beginning of this month, he had been directly involved in 13 of their 24 goals. More stunning is that Nani has managed a staggering 46 shots on target, with the next best at Sporting being Adrien Silva with 26.
And the big surprise for Premier League fans is Nani's foul count - only midfield teammate William Carvalho has been pulled up more at Sporting. Coaching staff insist Nani's numbers simply show the amount of work the midfield ace is now doing off the ball.
But while the cynics are now eating their words, Nani's stunning career reversal comes as no surprise to Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho.
For the past three years, Nani's return has been a personal project for De Carvalho.
"I met him three years ago at a restaurant where he was having lunch, I went and told him that he had in front of him the man who would bring him back to Sporting. He answered, 'I hope so, I hope so'," recalled the president.
De Carvalho made good on his promise, bringing Nani back to Sporting as part of Marcos Rojo's sale to United - and doing so without a fee involved.
And since that day in August, when over 8,000 fans welcomed Nani as he touched down at Lisbon airport, he hasn't looked back.
Sporting coach Marco Silva is excited working with the midfielder and says the key has been his fitness - and the player's willingness to take responsibility for staying in shape.
"We knew the quality of Nani, but we were also aware of the physical problems he had in the last two years," recalled Silva.
"Therefore at Sporting, the technical team and in this case the medical department, were concerned if he could get through 90 minutes regularly. But he has not only done it once, he's already played a full 11 or 12 games at high intensity and with four games in four days."
Silva continued: "He's done a very good job in pre-match and post-match care. So for us, fortunately, the physical problems have been overcome. Without these concerns, he's now reaching his very best."
Nani's brother, Jose Almeida, goes further, revealing the midfielder's commitment includes a personal yoga and meditation teacher.
"He has his own gym at home and has a person who works with him exclusively, to keep him relaxed and focused.
"He's a Portuguese expert who had been with him in Manchester and has now accompanied him on his return to Lisbon. He does yoga with Nani, does meditation, they do several things. They work on concentration, relaxation, stretching the muscles and improving his quick thinking."
Being home with the family is rubbing off on Nani.
Jorge Almeida continues: "In Lisbon he has the affection of our mother every day, which is an indispensable thing. The warmth of our mother is not replaceable by anything. Also our family is very happy, we have many nephews, we're a big and cheerful family and that contact gives him very positive energy."
That positive energy has surged through Nani this season, where he is now one of the great stars of the Primeira Liga. As Silva opines, Nani's influence on his young squad is proving invaluable.
"For the quality, experience and what he is to the younger players, he is very important. He is a great influence," says the coach.
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