Former Manchester United forward Nani has called Sir Alex Ferguson a father figure and credited the Old Trafford club for everything he has achieved in life.
Nani ended an eight-year association with United in the summer of 2015 when he joined Turkish side Fenerbahce after spending a year on loan at former club Sporting Lisbon.
Now with Valencia, the 29-year-old Portuguese played a vital role in his country's Euro 2016 triumph in France this summer, captaining the side in the final after Cristiano Ronaldo exited in the first half with a knee injury.
Despite recent exploits, however, Nani hailed the legendary United manager's guidance during their time together at the club.
"United gave me all that I have in this life," Nani said in an interview with the Guardian. "I see him [Ferguson] like a father, angry and shouting at you one minute but in the next, patting his hand on your head and saying: 'Come on, son.'
"It was hard to deal with at first, because you don't know him and his strong ways but when you know him, you learn it is for your benefit. If today I have a strong mentality, it's a lot to do with him.
"Maybe I could have played more games but the routine at that club, especially under Ferguson, was to alternate the players.
"Everyone was part of the team. I played in big games and I played in not so big games. I played in finals. I had fantastic performances and I had not so great performances. This is football.
"What I have in my mind is just the great moments I had in Manchester; the fantastic goals that I scored against top teams. It's what my friends remember and it's what the fans remember when they write to me. They don't remember the bad things."