After a somewhat quiet debut campaign with Sporting CP, Nani - who had been taught how to play the game by his older brother - impressed for the Portuguese outfit the following term.
The 2006/07 season was, undoubtedly, the one that led Manchester United to move quickly to recruit the tricky winger. It was only his second campaign with Sporting, but he had already helped them win a trophy. While a move to Old Trafford marked a step up in his career, he had demonstrated that it was something he could embrace and use to his advantage.
Given that Nani was Portuguese, played on the wing and had a flamboyant playstyle, there were understandable comparisons with his fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo. Although Ronaldo, who had already impressed since joining the club, was still on his own path to greatness, people were quick to suggest that Nani would be his eventual successor. There was immediate pressure on his shoulders, and unlike his compatriot, it took him slightly longer to rise to that.
