Nani admits he is feeling 'rage and bitterness' after being ruled out of the World Cup with a shoulder injury.
Winger back in Portugal to recover from shoulder injury
Nani admits he is feeling 'rage and bitterness' after being ruled out of Portugal's World Cup campaign with a shoulder injury.
The Manchester United winger had been struggling with the problem in the build-up to the tournament, but was expected to be fit for Portugal's Group G fixtures.
However, scans showed the injury to be worse than previously expected, leaving Nani to be replaced by Ruben Amorim in Carlos Queiroz's squad.
The 23-year-old has returned to Portugal to recover from the setback and he expressed his devastation at being forced to sit out the World Cup finals.
Big nightmare
"I have left the Portugal squad in South Africa because I am no longer necessary there," Nani told Gestifute.
"I do not have words to explain my feelings at the moment I learned of the injury.
"For me, it was an unexpected situation and a big nightmare that I will never forget.
"After the injury, my team-mates asked me to stay, but I am a footballer and if I could not help the squad then the best solution is to return to Portugal to start my physical recuperation.
"My feelings are those of pain, rage, sadness and bitterness, but this is football."