Manchester United and Portugal winger Nani will not participate in the 2010 FIFA World Cup due to a left shoulder injury.

“After tests we concluded he is unfit to participate in the World Cup,” it said. Nani picked up the injury in training on Friday in Lisbon before flying to South Africa.

The winger had missed the squad’s final home training session in Portugal on Saturday after falling while attempting an acrobatic shot and causing a traumatism in his shoulder.

During the flight to Johannesburg he had been confident he would recover in time.

Nani’s loss will be sorely felt by the 2006 semifinalists, who lost to runners-up France in Germany.

The winger had an excellent second half to the season, with impressive performances in the Premier League and Champions League with Manchester United.

He will be replaced by Benfica’s Ruben Amorim, the Federation added.

The other main injury concern in the Portuguese squad is Pepe, who has been recovering from a knee injury he sustained in December.

He has not played since, but was cleared by doctors from the national side and his club Real Madrid last week to travel to the finals.

Portugal will play their first tournament match on June 15 against the Ivory Coast in Group G, which also includes Brazil and North Korea.

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za