Carragher’s revelation: Man Utd legend’s remark during Nani’s tears at Anfield

In a recent revelation, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher shared an intriguing anecdote about a comment made by Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney following a highly-charged Premier League clash in 2011. The incident in question involved Nani, the Portuguese winger, who famously shed tears after sustaining an injury caused by a memorable tackle from Carragher during the closing stages of the 2010-2011 campaign.

Nani was left writhing in pain and had to be stretchered off the field due to a severe gash on his leg, prompting an emotional reaction from the player. Years later, during a discussion at Wembley Arena for The Overlap on Tour, Carragher, along with Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and Patrice Evra, revisited the incident upon being prompted by host Kelly Cates.

Recalling the intense atmosphere of the match, Evra revealed, “Nani was on the floor, and we were all fighting with the Liverpool players. Steven Gerrard said to Carra, ‘You’re crazy, you nearly broke his leg.’ That’s when Paul Scholes arrived, and upon witnessing Nani’s tears, he uttered, ‘F*** off.'”

Carragher, known for his candid humor, then went on to disclose Rooney’s reaction to the situation. As the Liverpool legend recounted the events, he shared, “Wayne Rooney, who was playing for Man United at the time, came up to me and said, ‘You won’t believe it, he’s f***ing crying!'” The audience erupted in laughter, joined by Carragher himself and even Neville, his former rival.

The clip of the conversation has garnered attention, with Evra playfully apologizing to Nani at the end. Notably, Nani had faced criticism, even from his own teammates and manager, for occasionally going to ground easily. Despite this, he revealed the true extent of his distress, stating, “When I saw my leg for the first time, I thought my season was finished. That is why I was crying.”

Ultimately, Nani’s injury turned out to be less severe than initially feared, requiring only stitches and a brief recovery period of two to three weeks, as confirmed by the attending doctor.

This revelation from Carragher offers a fascinating glimpse into the emotions and banter exchanged between players during intense rivalries, showcasing the lighter side of the competitive spirit that exists within the footballing world.