Nani praises Juventus star for his desire to make things happen | OneFootball

During his playing career, Nani was widely recognised for his flair, creativity, and ability to influence matches whenever he took to the pitch. Having represented some of the world’s most prestigious clubs, including Manchester United, the former winger developed a keen eye for identifying players with genuine ambition and a winning mentality. Now, as an experienced observer of the game, Nani believes that Juventus possesses a player with such qualities in Francisco Conceicao, whom he recently compared to AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.

Nani’s Comparison Between Conceicao and Leao

Both Conceicao and Leao are Portuguese internationals, following in the footsteps of Nani, who himself was an influential figure for Portugal during his career. According to Tuttojuve, Nani drew a distinction between the two young wingers, acknowledging their individual strengths while highlighting what he sees as a defining difference in mentality. He remarked: “You can see that Conceicao has the desire, grit, and dedication to do the right thing. But perhaps he doesn’t have Leao’s skills. His qualities need to be developed. If Leao had Conceicao’s desire, he’d be a perfect player. With his desire, Conceicao can achieve something important; in two or three years, he could reach a high level.”

In his assessment, Nani praised Leao’s natural skill and technical prowess but suggested that Conceicao’s hunger and determination could eventually propel him to a similar level. The former winger’s comments highlight a key principle he values deeply, the idea that talent alone is not enough to guarantee success without the right mindset and work ethic. For Nani, Conceicao embodies that crucial balance between ability and desire, an attribute he deems essential for long term achievement.

Getty Images

Conceicao’s Impact at Juventus

Since joining Juventus, Francisco Conceicao has consistently demonstrated his commitment to influencing matches in every role he is given. Whether starting or coming off the bench, he strives to make each minute on the pitch count. His dynamism, pressing intensity, and willingness to take on defenders have already endeared him to both teammates and supporters.

Juventus has benefited greatly from his determination and proactive style of play, with his energy often providing a spark in tightly contested matches. As Nani suggested, if Conceicao continues to refine his technical qualities while maintaining his current level of dedication, he could evolve into one of Europe’s most complete wingers in the coming years.