One sugar hit doesn’t last forever but Nani’s arrival in Melbourne today is the latest wind of change blowing in the right direction for Australian football for the game to seize on, writes David Weiner.
The Socceroos qualifying for the World Cup means we’ll have A-Leagues football from October to May with a World Cup break in the middle to focus on the Socceroos, and the 2023 Women’s World Cup on home soil at the end.
And that A-League Men’s season will now feature a name up there with the most illustrious to have played in the league in the competition’s history.
READ: FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED STAR NANI JOINS MELBOURNE VICTORY
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The Portuguese sensation arrives with rarefied pedigree – four Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League crown, a Club World Cup and a Euros win with his nation – but most importantly for Isuzu UTE A-Leagues fans burned by Daniel Sturridge’s experience last term, the supremely athletic winger touches down in July.
The timing of his arrival at the same time as his former club, Manchester United, is of course tantalising.
More importantly, the 35-year-old is ready to rip into a full pre-season – something not all of the competition’s previous billboard acts have enjoyed the benefit of.
It is why Nani’s arrival feels different.
“I feel good,” he told reporters at AAMI Park on Tuesday.
“I have been training by myself; I know how to take care of my body, but when you don’t train with the team it is different.
“But I am ready to train, start my pre-season with the team, with the club, we have time to prepare to be your best.”
Nani, like Charlie Austin, is no last minute addition to prop up a roster or provide a last minute marketing hit. He is here for the full three-month preparation for the 2022-23 season, committing two years to Melbourne Victory. Indeed, having played the Pied Piper role in America with Orlando in Major League Soccer, he is ready to do something similar here in Australia, choosing the Isuzu UTE A-League because “I’m a person who likes to have a lot of challenges in my career”.
Crucially, the player himself, knows this is about more than football, even describing the move as a “project”.
“I heard good things; this league obviously (is) still improving and has been doing great in the past years, and obviously there are a lot of things, same as other leagues, (that) still need to improve,” he said.
“That is why the league is trying to contract some experience players and big names.
“They contract me, and one of the reasons of me being here is to try bring more quality and experience to the league and try to help the young talent to improve their quality and mentality as well.
“There is a lot of reasons for me to be here and I hope I can help the league, the club, to achieve their goals.”
From a pure footballing point of view, Tony Popovic isn’t one usually for gimmicks. This is a coup – whether you look at it from a marketing or football perspective.
Although Nani’s halcyon days are behind him, the Victory boss is convinced he doesn’t just have a player of pedigree, but a player still with the requisite quality – and motivation – to upgrade Victory from semi-finalists to something more.
He is a player to make the likes of Ben Folami, Chris Ikonomidis, Nishan Vellupilay, Nick D’Agostino or Tomi Juric fight for the remaining spots in a well-stocked starting XI and see the training standard required to make it to the very top, and to endure deep into your thirties.
“First of all, a fantastic football player,” Popovic enthused.
“Wonderful pedigree and experience at the highest level. Multiple time winner of titles…we are bringing someone with a special pedigree that has been very rarely seen in this country.
“First and foremost that is what we’re bringing: a wonderful football player. A player who likes to excite and entertain. I am delighted he is here. I have to thanks the Chairman and board of directors and everyone at the club who has helped make this possible and I look forward to working with him on a daily basis.
“He has a wonderful attitude and ability that I am sure everyone will enjoy when they watch him play.”
He added: “We had a very good year but this club wants more. It is very ambitious.
“We are bringing a man and a footballer who is very ambitious himself and obviously has the ability…I am sure he can help us achieve our goals.”
Melbourne Victory gets a quality footballer; the A-Leagues lands a new superstar, a name that personifies a key strategy in re-igniting fan interest, and without fear or embarrassment, places the Isuzu UTE A-League within a global football context. Like Barcelona did with the A-Leagues All Stars, or Leeds United, Aston Villa and Manchester United will do with Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory, the A-Leagues is here to be enjoyed by all football fans in this country, and beyond.
Alone, a player’s arrival is not enough. But, it is a very tasty starting point.
“Marquee players are an important part of our accelerated growth strategy,” APL CEO Danny Townsend said.
“This commitment by APL and Melbourne Victory is a statement of intent as we seek to deliver the best on and off-field experience to engage A-Leagues fans.”
‘GIVE ME FIVE MINUTES!’: NANI GIVEN ‘BOXES TO TICK’ TO MAKE MANCHESTER UNITED REUNION
After the difficulties of the last three COVID riddled campaigns, which included fixture chaos last term, it is no secret that a circuit breaker is needed to re-ignite the interest, hype and connection to Australia’s top tier.
Already this off-season, the APL has signalled its commitment to expanding the Liberty A-League to a full home-and-away season commensurate with major leagues in England, America and France for match minutes. A second Designated Player slot has been added to rosters to increase the quality and star power of recruitment. Four Premier League sides are here ready to take on Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory.
Now, Nani brings more headlines. Awareness. Hype. A connection to the global game that is so popular. A catalyst. Quality.
A billboard act who can, for example, take a Jake Brimmer, a Johnny Warren Medal winner who could walk the streets in relative anonymity, and elevate him, to the heights his talents deserves.
A statement signing for everyone involved in the game to be inspired by, and lift, to build on the momentum.
Indeed, Popovic issued that rallying cry today.
“It is wonderful for the league,” Popovic concluded.
“Luis had the experience of playing in the MLS, which is similar, salary cap concept – players come in to improve the league, in a big country like America to get people to love football.
“That league has grown.
“It is an opportunity for us, as a league, and the APL, and Melbourne Victory, making a big statement – we want the general public to be interested in Luis play on the weekend, watch him entertain, come and watch our product, come and fill the stadium, get our members here at AAMI Park.
“It’s a start. It is what we can do, and we hope it is a starting point for the league to continue to grow.
“There is a lot to look forward to: A Women’s World Cup, a Men’s World Cup…a fantastic signing today. It is very positive for the league and we have to take advantage of this and play our part to help the league grow and put on a fantastic product there on the pitch.”
Manchester United’s Australian fixtures
Manchester United v Melbourne Victory
Friday, July 15
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
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Manchester United v Crystal Palace
Tuesday, July 19
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
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Machester United v Aston Villa
July 23, 2022
Optus Stadium, Perth
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