Football saved me from being in prison for theft or even worse," says Nani, a former Manchester United star and 2016 European Championship winner, who admits that as a child he stole fruits and food from shops, but his love for the "charming round" gave him another path and another chance to be a good man and not lose his future as friends who are still there and went to prison.
But this player - who has partnered his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo in the "Red Devils" and the "Brazil of Europe" team, and was the captain of the latter in the final in which he beat the home team of France and the public with a clean goal-has an inspiring story.
The 33-year-old grew up in Amadora (one of Portugal's most dangerous and impoverished regions) and was abandoned by his parents as a child; his father abandoned him when he was five, his mother left when he was 12, and his aunt raised him and his nine siblings.
He says that some days he could find nothing to eat, and the food was only available for one meal.
"When I was a child, I wished someone would give me any food or money to buy anything that would block my throat, sometimes I was very hungry and we had nothing to eat,"he said
But hunger was not Nani's only childhood challenge, but the street where he spent most of his time and his friends who were telling him to steal and go through dangerous things, which almost killed his future.
Fenani - who has played for Sporting, Manchester United, Fenerbahce, Valencia, Lazio, sporting and currently with Orlando City-has won the Champions League and four Premier League titles with Man United.
Despite his fame and money, Nani did not forget the area he came from and the people he grew up with, he always sends aid and food on occasions and holidays.
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