PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matheus Luiz Nunes |
| Date of Birth | 27/08/1998 (Age: 27) |
| Place of Birth | São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Nationality | Portuguese / Brazilian |
| Height | 1.83 m / 6 ft 0 in |
| Position | Right-Back / Central Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #27 (Manchester City) |
| Current Club | Manchester City |
| Previous Clubs | Estoril, Sporting CP, Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| International Caps | 20+ |
| International Goals | 2+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2022, 2026 |
The Frozen Moment
The text message arrived in 2021. Matheus Nunes had just been called up by Brazil—the country of his birth, the nation he had dreamed of representing. He celebrated publicly, posting about his joy on social media. Then, the phone rang. Fernando Santos, then Portugal’s manager, was on the line with a counter-offer: play for Portugal, he said, and you will be part of our World Cup plans.
Four years later, at the 2026 World Cup, Nunes is a Portuguese starter. He chose Portugal over Brazil, a decision that sparked headlines and divided his family. For a player born in the Rio de Janeiro suburb of São Gonçalo, who moved to Portugal at 13 and built his entire career there, the choice was not straightforward.
“Foi difícil tomar a decisão de escolher Portugal porque sinto que sou os dois por igual,” he said. “But in football, I owe more to Portugal than to Brazil. That’s where I lived the period in which I started to play seriously, where I had opportunities.”
Origins
Matheus Nunes was born in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, on August 27, 1998. As a child, he attended a Flamengo futsal school, where he developed the close control that would later define his game. At age 13, his family moved to Portugal, settling in Ericeira, a coastal town near Lisbon.
His professional career began in Portugal’s lower divisions. He started with Ericeirense, then moved to Estoril in 2018, where he made his professional debut. In January 2019, Sporting CP signed him for just €500,000. It was at Sporting that he developed into a complete midfielder, attracting the attention of Europe’s elite.
The European Forge
In August 2022, Nunes joined Wolverhampton Wanderers for €45 million. He made an immediate impact, scoring a stunning goal against Chelsea in April 2023 that was named the Premier League Goal of the Month.
In September 2023, Manchester City signed Nunes for €62 million. At City, he was initially deployed as a midfielder, but in the 2024-25 season, Pep Guardiola converted him into a right-back. It was a transformation that would define his career.
The 2025-26 season was his breakthrough. He started 32 Premier League games, played 2,865 minutes, scored one goal, and provided five assists. He was named in Opta’s Premier League Team of the Season, with statistics that placed him among the elite full-backs in Europe. Guardiola called him “one of the best right-backs in the world.” He won the Premier League in 2024 and the League Cup in 2026.
The Anatomy of His Game
Nunes is a player defined by his versatility, relentless energy, and tactical intelligence. He has become a complete right-back after years as a central midfielder.
In possession
, his passing is elite. He completed more passes in the opposition half (1,153) than any other player in the Premier League in 2025-26. Among full-backs, he had the joint-most open play assists (5), made the most line-breaking passes (275), and completed the most passes in the final third (600). He also led all full-backs in ball carries (514) and carry distance—well over 5,000 metres. His tactical intelligence allows him to read the game and find space.
Out of possession
, his defensive work rate is exceptional. He is a relentless runner who covers the right flank with remarkable energy. When he started for City, they won 66% of games; when he didn’t, that dropped to 33%. His duel success and interception rates are consistent, and he is strong in the air.
His versatility
is his greatest asset. “I feel I can play in many positions. I don’t have a preference,” he has said. He has been deployed as a central midfielder, right-back, and even left winger, reflecting the demands of Guardiola’s system. “It’s the manager’s choice. We have full-backs who can play as centre-backs and midfielders. We have very versatile players. We have to be ready to play in any position.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 34 | 2,862 | 1 | 5 | — |
| Champions League | 6 | 434 | 0 | 0 | — |
| FA Cup | 4 | 360 | 2 | 0 | — |
| Carabao Cup | 5 | 356 | 1 | 0 | — |
| Total | 49 | 4,012 | 8 | 1 | — |
TABLE B: Performance Metrics (2025/26 Premier League)
| Metric | Nunes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apps | 34 | 32 starts |
| Minutes | 2,862 | Most in PL career |
| Goals | 1 | — |
| Assists | 5 | Joint-most among full-backs |
| Passes in Opposition Half | 1,153 | Most in PL |
| Line-Breaking Passes | 275 | Most among full-backs |
| Passes in Final Third | 600 | Most among full-backs |
| Ball Carries | 514 | Most among full-backs |
| Carry Distance | 5,000m+ | Most among full-backs |
| Win Rate (When Starting) | 66% | 21 wins, 8 draws, 3 losses |
| Win Rate (Without Nunes) | 33% | 2 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses |
TABLE C: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Estoril Debut | Made professional debut |
| 2019 | Sporting CP Move | Signed for €500,000 |
| 2022 | Premier League Move | Signed for Wolves for €45m |
| 2022 | World Cup Debut | Played vs Uruguay and South Korea |
| 2023 | Manchester City Move | Signed for €62m |
| 2024 | Premier League Winner | Won with Manchester City |
| 2026 | League Cup Winner | Won with Manchester City |
| 2026 | Opta Team of the Season | Named in PL Team of the Season |
| 2026 | World Cup Campaign | Represented Portugal |
What these figures reveal is a player who has transformed his career in a single season. He has gone from a midfielder struggling for minutes to one of the best right-backs in Europe. His 32 starts in 2025-26 exceeded his combined total from his first two seasons at City. He has been named in the Premier League Team of the Season and has been praised by one of the greatest managers in football history.
The Present Tense
The 2026 World Cup is Nunes’s second. He made his debut in 2022, playing 73 minutes against Uruguay and South Korea. Now, he is a starter for Portugal, having been named in Roberto Martínez’s squad for the tournament.
His role at the World Cup has been the subject of debate. He is equally comfortable as a right-back or central midfielder, and Martínez has the option to deploy him in either position. Nunes himself has said: “I feel comfortable in both positions. I’m used to both. I’ve also played as a left winger and I feel good there. I don’t have a preference right now.”
His selection is a continuation of his remarkable journey. Just ten years ago, he was playing in Portugal’s sixth division. Now, he is sharing a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo. “It’s a huge honour,” he has said. “I never imagined playing with Cristiano. Ten years ago I was in the sixth division of Portugal, so no. For us, it’s an immense honour.”
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Nunes is defined by his dual identity. He feels “half-Brazilian and half-Portuguese,” a split that is reflected in his family: his mother is Portuguese, and his family in Brazil will support Brazil if the two nations meet.
He has maintained strong ties to Brazil. “I always go to Rio. I have a lot of family living there. I try to visit my sister. The bonds remain, many friends in Rio de Janeiro come to watch the matches,” he said.
His choice of Portugal was a difficult one. “It was hard to decide to choose Portugal, because I feel like I’m both equally. But in football, I owe more to Portugal than to Brazil. That’s where I lived the period in which I started to play seriously, where I had opportunities. I’m very proud to have chosen Portugal.”
The Verdict from the Camp
Pep Guardiola, former Manchester City manager:
Called Nunes “one of the best right-backs in the world” after his conversion to the position.
Matheus Nunes, on his versatility:
“I feel I can play in many positions. I don’t have a preference. It’s the manager’s choice. We have full-backs who can play as centre-backs and midfielders. We have very versatile players. We have to be ready to play in any position.”
Matheus Nunes, on choosing Portugal over Brazil:
“It was difficult to make the decision. But in football, I owe more to Portugal than to Brazil. I’m very proud of my journey.”
Matheus Nunes, on playing with Cristiano Ronaldo:
“I never imagined playing with Cristiano. Ten years ago I was in the sixth division of Portugal. For us, it’s an immense honour.”
Where Next?
Matheus Nunes is 27 years old and entering his prime. He has just completed the best season of his career, established himself as one of the best right-backs in Europe, and earned a starting role for Portugal at the World Cup. He is under contract at Manchester City until 2028, with a market value of over €62 million.
His legacy is still being written. He is the Brazilian-born Portuguese international who converted from midfield to full-back, the player who was called up by Brazil and chose Portugal, and the player who rose from the sixth division to the Premier League.
The journey from São Gonçalo to the World Cup has been remarkable. The boy who played futsal for Flamengo and moved to Portugal at 13 is now one of the best full-backs in Europe. He has overcome challenges, adapted to a new position, and earned his place through sheer determination. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, and his best years may still be ahead.
