Nani’s Bittersweet Goodbye to Orlando City

From the moment Nani touched down in Orlando in 2019, the atmosphere around Orlando City felt different. I mean, it’s not every day an MLS club pulls in an international star with that kind of pedigree; we’re talking Manchester United royalty and a staple in Portugal’s national squad! The fans quickly bought into the vision of a “New Orlando,” and with Nani signed as a Designated Player, the club’s ambitions were out there for all to see.

Right from his debut, Nani wasted no time making his mark. The game was on fire, with Nani subbed in at the 70-minute mark, all eyes on him, pressure thick in the air. With a quick setup, he fed Dom Dwyer to even the score. Right then and there, he stamped his flag at the stadium, sparking the fanbase’s excitement with just 20 minutes on the field.

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From that point on, Nani was the undeniable star of the show. In April 2019, in a thrilling match against Colorado Rapids, he scored twice, nailing a penalty in the dying moments to seal a 4-3 victory. It was one of those games that doesn’t just define a season, it carves a legacy.

Playing in MLS demands more than raw talent; it takes grit and consistency. And while Nani’s brilliance was obvious, reality wasn’t quite as poetic as he or the club may have hoped. Over time, his performance started to dip, and the physical demands started catching up. For a player of his caliber, it wasn’t easy keeping pace with the league’s relentless tempo, but he kept pushing through. That grit? That may be his real legacy.

The “MLS is Back” tournament in 2020 was undoubtedly a high point. Fans, starved for soccer after months of lockdown, were craving action, and Orlando City was hungrier than ever for a win. Under all that pressure, Nani didn’t back down. In the quarterfinals against LAFC, he had one of those make-or-break moments: first, missing a penalty during regular time, then showing up to deliver a clutch assist for the equalizer at the last possible second. When it came down to penalty kicks, Nani redeemed himself, sealing their advancement with a game-winning strike.

In the semifinals, Nani turned up again, scoring twice against Minnesota United and carrying Orlando into the final. But victory slipped through their fingers against the Portland Timbers, and Orlando took the runner-up spot.

In 2021, things started going south. And it wasn’t just injuries taking a toll. In May, there was an odd incident: after a game against D.C. United, Nani got hit with a two-game suspension for some physical contact with the referee.

At the end of 2021, after a rollercoaster journey filled with highs and lows, Nani announced his departure from the club. His contract wasn’t renewed, bringing his chapter at Orlando to a close. The news wasn’t shocking, but it carried a bit of nostalgia. After all, he’d been a key figure for the club. As he made his exit, the city of Orlando found itself split. Some believed he still had more to give, while others thought the relationship had simply run its course.

Fans witnessed crucial goals, slick dribbles, standout performances, and, yes, a few controversies. But like any good love story, it had its limits. Nani gave it his all, left his mark, but this was no fairy tale. It was just the end of a chapter, with all the bittersweet feels that come with it.