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The Portuguese took a crucial spot-kick during the penalty shootout against Chelsea

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The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Want to add more newsletters? Fantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more. Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off! Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. The 2008 Champions League final marked the first-ever time that Europe’s biggest match was contested by two English sides. Fittingly, the clash between Manchester United and Chelsea would be played in the pouring rain and would be tense, gritty affair that was settled on penalties. It would be the Red Devils who lifted the trophy at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow that night, 50 years on from their maiden triumph in the competition, with Sir Alex Ferguson having to rely on some of his star names keeping their cool from the penalty spot.

When Nani stepped up to take his side’s fifth penalty, he knew there was no margin for error. His compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo had missed his spot kick, meaning that if Nani failed to find the back of the net, Chelsea would celebrate their first-ever European Cup win. Get VIP Manchester United tickets HERE with Seat Unique! Manchester United's hospitality offers comfortable, padded seating in the North West Quadrant. The package includes a concourse meal deal (hot food, drink, and snack) and the official matchday programme. Guests also receive a 10 per cent Megastore discount and non-matchday Museum entry, providing a great value, family-friendly match experience for home fans. “It was a delicate moment, ” Nani recalls to Four Four Two. “Your whole life flashes through your mind during those few metres from the halfway line to the penalty spot. The pressure is obvious, especially when you know there’s no margin for error. “I knew I had to make a decision, not hesitate, and hit the ball with confidence. Petr Cech was a huge goalkeeper – he even guessed which way I’d shoot and got a touch, but thankfully it went in, and the story had a happy ending. ” The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. Ronaldo’s blushes were spared following his miss, as John Terry and Nicolas Anelka would then fail to convert, so did Nani’s compatriot thank him for dispatching his spot kick? “No, no, because we didn’t win thanks to me, ” Nani continues. “We won because of the team, because of Edwin van der Sar, who saved Nicolas Anelka’s penalty, and because of all the others who took their penalties and scored. “That season we were very united as a group. Anyone could miss, but there were always others ready to lift you up. That’s what made that moment so special. ”

Nani added four Premier League titles to his Champions League winners’ medal during his time at Old Trafford, but which trophy meant the most? “The Champions League is incomparable – it stands in a category of its own, ” he admits. “We went through the streets of Manchester on an open-top bus, touring the city, which was overflowing with joy. “Seeing the fans celebrating like that – singing, thanking us – was genuinely beautiful. ” For more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and Leeds Live among others and worked at Four Four Two throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

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