“I think my first year at Wolverhampton was a difficult year, both collectively and individually. I remember playing for many months with a groin pain.”
In addition to the physical limitations, the midfielder found himself constantly having to adapt to new roles.
Debrief – Matheus Nunes
“No Wolverhampton, joguei em várias posições, e isso foi difícil. O que me ajudou foi a experiência que tive no Sporting, mas mesmo assim, foi um ano complicado.”
O desafio de se adaptar à Premier League e ao estilo de jogo inglês foi avassalador. A intensidade das partidas e a competitividade do campeonato exigiram uma mudança significativa na sua abordagem.
A chegada ao Manchester City: um novo começo
Após um ano complicado em Wolverhampton, Matheus Nunes fez a mudança para o Manchester City em agosto de 2023. O valor da transferência foi estimado em cerca de 60 milhões de euros, tornando-se um dos jogadores mais caros da história do clube.
“Chegar ao Manchester City foi como um sonho tornado realidade. É um clube que tem tudo para vencer, com jogadores de classe mundial e um treinador que sabe como tirar o melhor de cada um,” afirmou Nunes.
O jogador destacou a importância do ambiente no City, que considera fundamental para o seu desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional. “Aqui, sinto que posso crescer e aprender todos os dias,” acrescentou.
O futuro: ambições e desafios
Matheus Nunes não esconde as suas ambições. “Quero ganhar títulos, quero ser parte da história deste clube. O Manchester City é o lugar certo para isso,” disse.
Apesar das dificuldades que enfrentou, o jogador acredita que essas experiências o tornaram mais forte e preparado para os desafios que virão. “Cada obstáculo é uma oportunidade de aprender e crescer,” concluiu.
“There was a lot of position change. I remember playing more than half the season as a right winger, I played as a left winger, I played a few games as a midfielder…”
Loneliness, distance, and the weight of change
The emotional component had a decisive weight. The change of country, culture, and climate was not easy for the player, who is originally from Rio de Janeiro.
Debrief – Matheus Nunes
“The fact that I am far from my family, far from my friends, being in the cold, which is something I can never get used to… It was quite difficult, the first year.”
The presence of several Portuguese players in the Wolves’ dressing room ended up being an essential support.
Debrief – Matheus Nunes
“In the midst of the bad, it helped, because it’s different to be with people from your nationality. Sometimes, I spoke more Portuguese than English.”
The leap to the top: “It was exactly what I wanted”
Despite the difficulties, the performance in the Premier League quickly attracted greater attention. In 2023, the definitive leap to Manchester City came, in a deal valued at 55 million euros, plus 5 million in bonuses — a transaction that also earned around 2 million euros for Sporting, through the solidarity mechanism and capital gains.
Debrief – Matheus Nunes
“It was basically what I wanted in my life when I left Sporting. If I were to leave, it would be for a club like Manchester City.”
The impact of not playing… and adapting to Guardiola
Arriving at the Etihad Stadium brought another shock: fewer minutes, more competition, and maximum demands under the management of Pep Guardiola.
Debrief – Matheus Nunes
“I didn’t play as many games, and I came from Sporting, where I played every match. At Wolverhampton, I also always played. Coming here and not playing… it was an adaptation phase.”
Today, that phase has been overcome.
Debrief – Matheus Nunes
“Now, I feel completely accustomed. I would say this is the happiest moment since I arrived in England.”
Three Seasons, Titles, and Champion Numbers
In what is already his third season with Manchester City, Matheus Nunes has become a useful and versatile player, operating as a midfielder or right-back. So far, he has accumulated:
- 94 official matches
- 5 goals
- 19 assists
- 1 Premier League
- 1 FIFA Club World Cup
- 1 FA Community Shield
A résumé that confirms Matheus Nunes’ rise to the highest echelons of world football.
From Regular Starter to Key Player in a Star-Studded Squad
The story of Matheus Nunes is that of many talents who reach the top: talent alone is not enough; patience, adaptation, and resilience are essential. Today, at Manchester City, the Portuguese midfielder does not hide it: he has suffered, grown… and triumphed.
And when a player says he is living the happiest moment of his career under Guardiola’s orders, the journey speaks for itself.
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