Anything Is Possible

A regular and important player at one of the best clubs in the world - Nani has every right to feel he is one of the best footballers on the planet. He's not arrogant, just full self-belief. It's been key to his turnaround in form in 2010. But with four goals and seven assists so far this term, he's still not completely content...

Rio Ferdinand said recently that you’ve been United’s best player this season – how does that make you feel?
I feel very happy that he said that because I have been working very hard, I’ve been concentrating a lot on being ready and being at my best for this season. I want to be as good as I can and help my team-mates as much as I can to make United successful. In some bad moments I’ve been able to do a few good things to help the team. I’m happy at the club and I hope to do much more for United than I’ve done up to this point. I’m working hard every day to achieve that.

You’ve scored four goals and set up seven so far this year – is this your best start to a season?
Erm… [pauses] Yes, I think I can say that. But I need to do much more because I’m not completely satisfied with the start to this season.

You’re not happy?
I’m not. I know that if I stop now and just think to myself that I’ve done well, it will mean nothing. That’s why I say I have much more to do.

But you seem to be making the key differences in games – with a goal or an assist. What do you put that down to?
I’ve learnt a lot, particularly from the older players at the club – Giggsy, Scholes and Rio. I’m more mature myself, and that helps. But those players teach you a lot by the way they play. The most important thing is to understand that you give what is best for the team. If you need a goal, it might be me scoring or providing a pass. Now I understand what I’m going to do and when the right moment is to do it.

Did you notice yourself that there was a moment when that clicked or did it happen over time?
I had to listen to the manager and players like Giggsy – he gives me advice all the time. That’s made me more mature, and I understand the game and the Premier League even more. If I’m doing well, it’s because I’m working hard, but a lot of it is because of the manager and players like Giggsy.

You look really confident in your own ability when you’re playing…
When you are playing well, you feel confident. And when you are confident, you feel like anything is possible. If you have the quality, you just need to be confident and then you can produce your best football.

Are we seeing the complete Nani now, or is there still more to come?
As a player I think that I’m nearly complete. Now I can say I am one of the top players in the world. I play for the best club in the world and I play every game, and I think my role in the team is to score goals or set up goals so that this team can win games.

Is that important to you to know that and to believe it?
Yes, of course. You have to believe in yourself and believe in your abilities. That’s how you become the best player you can be.

You’ve mentioned a few times about the extra work you’ve been doing in training. What specifically have you been working on?
When you have a lot of games it’s not so easy because you are resting and recovering. But last week – when I wasn’t playing in the Carling Cup – I was able to do extra work in the gym, you can stay behind after training and work on your ball skills, your shooting, crossing, free-kicks, everything. In the summer I did a lot as well. Two weeks before we started training I was doing running to get myself fit; I was frustrated after missing out on the World Cup, so I wanted to be ready for the season with United.

You seem to thrive on the big stages as well, do you look forward to the big matches?
The big games are for the big players. All the best players are going to be playing and if you show yourself more than the other players then that means a lot. I want to be one of the best. I’m not scared to play in the big games, because the big matches are the most beautiful in football – you play with very high quality, it’s ball to feet, it’s about playing. I enjoy to see good skills in a game, great shots, saves. Beautiful football, that is what I like. And that helps lift my performance as well.

The fan's question
Why have you stopped doing your backflip celebration? Ian Sarginson
[Laughs] Since I injured my shoulder, I’ve been taking care of myself a little bit more! I can do the backflip without putting my hands down, but I don’t want to risk putting my hands down and injure my shoulder again. The next goal I score I promise for the fans that I will do the backflip, the one without putting my hands down!