Former Manchester United winger Luis Nani has credited Cristiano Ronaldo with transforming Portugal's football identity, saying his former teammate inspired a generation to believe they could become the best in the world.
Nani paid the tribute on Thursday following Ronaldo's announcement that he would retire from international football after Portugal's November fixtures, ending a 23-year career with the national team.
The former Portugal international described Ronaldo as the greatest player of all time and praised his contribution to the country both on and off the pitch.
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In a message posted on X, Nani said he was proud to have shared Ronaldo's international journey, adding that the forward had made Portuguese people believe in their ability to compete at the highest level.
“You inspired us all and made us believe that, as Portuguese, we could be the best in the world. You made us feel proud of ourselves, as a people and as a national team,” he wrote.
Nani, who played alongside Ronaldo for Portugal and Manchester United, said his former teammate had become a reference point for successive generations of footballers.
“To me, you’re the best of all time, not just for the player you were and for everything you gave to our national team, but also for what you represented to all of us,” he added.
He acknowledged that their relationship had not been without disagreements but said their shared experiences had contributed to their growth as footballers.
Nani concluded his tribute by thanking Ronaldo for his service to Portugal, describing his contribution as one that would remain unforgettable.
“For all of that, I can only say: thank you so much, Captain! What you did for Portugal and for all of us will never be forgotten,” he said.
Ronaldo's international retirement will bring to an end a remarkable career in which he made 234 appearances and scored 146 goals for Portugal, both records in men's international football.
The 41-year-old forward also captained Portugal to the 2016 European Championship title and helped the country win the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
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