Nani Juggling, Disrespectful?

**Dirtycheat** · 12:36 PM

Nani says no more juggling!

Quote:

Manchester United winger Nani has vowed never to repeat the ball-juggling that earned him a rebuke from Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Portuguese youngster shone in United's 4-0 FA Cup drubbing of Arsenal last weekend but was criticised by Ferguson and rival boss Arsene Wenger.

Nani told Sportsmail: 'In Portugal I have done this many times but it is only because it is an entertaining spectacle and not because I disrespect my rivals.

'I am a professional and am always very respectful with all the opposing players, but I do appreciate now that it may have looked bad.

'After the match Ferguson spoke to me and demanded that I do not repeat it in order to avoid problems.

'Obviously, I agreed. I always follow the orders of my coach and am not interested in causing controversy.

'Gilberto Silva of Arsenal spoke to me and was clear about what their players thought about it.

'He was very critical of what I did and accused me of provoking Arsenal. But he never threatened me.

'On the field I am different from most players. My celebrations of goals with a somersault is an example. This is my character as a footballer.'

Nani, 21, also revealed that Ryan Giggs is grooming him to be his successor at Old Trafford.

Nani gave way to Giggs in the starting line-up at Lyon in the Champions League in midweek but the former Wales winger is doubtful for the trip to Newcastle in the Barclays Premier League today after suffering a leg injury.

Nani said: 'Ryan has already said he wants me to succeed him on the left when he has gone. He is always talking to me and giving me advice.

'There is no bitterness or obvious rivalry. He just wants me to do well and for United to do well when he is no longer playing.'

source - Daily mail - linkage

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i read that article and then it led me to think, is "showboating" really disrespectful to the opposition?

Teasing the ball while on the goal line is one thing but juggling it or dribbling it is another.

IMO if a player has the skill to perform a trick and pull it off then there is no reason why he shouldnt, especially when you are comfortably in the lead.

Fans pay top-dollar to see a good, entertaining match. So why is there so much fuss when a player does something really entertaining?

on the other hand, opposition fans must feel angry at it ie rubbing salt in a wound.

Whats your views on this? Is it Jealousy? or is is arrogance and disrespect on nani's part?

lorken · 02-23-2008, 11:16 AM

I don't think that showboating as stepovers or cheeky flicks is disrespectful but when a player start to juggle like that it is. I'm thinking that if we were 4-0 down to arsenal and for example Fabregas would have started to juggle like that i would burn in rage. Nani did the right thing by saying he's not gonna do stuff like that anymore.

**ZEUS** · 02-23-2008, 11:25 AM

Yep, i have to agree with DC. When Ronaldo, Ronaldinho or Messi do their magic, humiliating the defender they are dribbling, nobody says nothing about it. Than why they are starting to criticize Nani now? I think it's because many say he's the "new Ronaldo" and as we know our rivals do not love Ronaldo much. And that's why they went down on him. But it's just because they are jealous. What other players in PL can do as much tricks on the pitch as Ronaldo and Nani?

**funkdoctorspock** · 02-23-2008, 12:46 PM

The difference is when Ronaldinho & Messi are doing there tricks, they are taking on the defenders, not dribbling away from them.

Nani was in the wrong for this. I'm all for entertainment, but when you blantantly go out of your way to show up players I don't see how this can been seen as entertainment. I'm happy that Sir Alex gave Nani I could talking to about this.

Look at this way. If any Arsenal player were to do what Nani did after being up 4-0, I'm quite sure there would be many pissed off United fans.

**timfen** · 02-23-2008, 02:28 PM

Personally I found it entertaining and though I would be annoyed if an Arsenal player had done it in the same circumstances I wouldn't have said it was disrespectful.

**Mark** · 02-23-2008, 03:08 PM

but it's very annoying indeed, I mean if a rival would do that to Ferdinand, he will have all my backing to teach the boy a lesson

Mila · 02-23-2008, 07:16 PM

Oh, let them all just stuff it!

I know it was a show off performance, I know that if t was done to our team, we all would've been furious, I know it was deliberate and probably disrespectful...

But it was great to watch the gooners get stuffed, played off the pitch and fume about it

So I have no complains. None at all!

tommy · 02-24-2008, 06:33 PM

No I do not think what nani was wrong as he was
defending really, and just used his skills to get the
ball away, and I really think Fergie was wrong to
say that it was wrong in public as well as u don't
hear him say anything about becks or king Eric when
they did it.

torque6309 · 02-25-2008, 09:31 AM

no problem with me, it's shows that the player has the skills...
wonder why it become disrespectfull, maybe the arsenal side just piss off cuz they 4-0 down...

breaktherulz · 02-25-2008, 11:53 AM

i really dont see anything wrong in juggling as long as its effective.. hope the media respect that fact. i hope that this doesn't affect his game..