As the countdown to the World Cup progresses, predictions about who will shine on the pitches of Qatar are beginning to emerge, and one of them comes from a prominent name in Brazilian football: Alexandre Pato. The former Brazilian international did not hesitate to place Matheus Cunha, forward for Manchester United, in the spotlight, expressing expectations about his performance in the tournament.
Cunha, who joined United last season after a notable stint with Wolverhampton Wanderers, seems to have quickly found his new home at Old Trafford. With an impressive record of 15 goals and six assists in his last season with the Wolves, it is undeniable that the player played a crucial role in keeping the team in the Premier League. So far this season, Cunha has already tallied seven goals and two assists, with seven games still to play, giving him the opportunity to further increase those numbers.
Recently, in the frustrating 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, Cunha stood out as a constant threat, playing a key role in winning a penalty that allowed United to open the scoring. With such impactful performances, he is a strong candidate for the club’s Player of the Month award in March.
His contributions have not gone unnoticed by Carlo Ancelotti, who has called the young player to join the Brazilian national team, increasing his prominence within the canarinha squad. It is in this context that Alexandre Pato, who has earned 27 caps for the national team, expressed his confidence in Cunha as a potential starter in Brazil’s attack, especially if Neymar is unable to recover in time.
“I love my friend Neymar,” Pato began, sharing his thoughts with The Athletic. “It depends more on him than on Ancelotti. He has time to be 100% fit for the World Cup. But it’s difficult. The game here in Brazil is not easy.”
Pato continued, “To start the first game of the World Cup? Let’s hope Neymar is well, but if he’s not ready, I think we’ll have Raphinha, Vini, and Cunha as forwards.” Additionally, the former AC Milan player mentioned Igor Thiago, Brentford’s striker, as a name that deserves to be in the squad, emphasizing the need for Brazil to adapt to the modern demands of football.
In his analysis, Pato emphasized that while talent has always been a pillar of Brazilian football, the evolution of the game requires more than that. “Brazil will always be about talent, but talent is not enough for today’s football. The world has changed; the physical condition of players has changed… But Brazil has been struggling to develop players like that because our focus is more on talent.”
With Pato’s words resonating, Cunha certainly hopes that the prediction will come true, but for now, the young forward remains focused on maintaining his good form at Manchester United. Time will tell if Cunha’s talent and determination will make him a key player for Brazil in the upcoming World Cup.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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