Matheus Cunha: From the slum field to Brazil's hero
Collected Photo
Football doesn't always only tell stories of talent. Sometimes, it is also a story of the struggle to survive, of holding onto dreams and moving forward. The life of Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha is exactly that – a tale of struggle, rejection, tears, and a glorious comeback; an inspiring story.
Cunha was born on May 27, 1999, in João Pessoa, Brazil. He loved football from childhood. Although not upper-class, his family was financially well-off. Thus, the start of his life was like that of typical Brazilian families – big dreams, but limited opportunities.
The place where Cunha's house was in the northeastern Brazilian city of João Pessoa had a favela right next to it; in our language (Bengali), a slum. Next to this slum was a field. During his childhood, Cunha played football for hours on end on this field. Besides that, he also wove his dream of becoming a footballer with his father on the futsal court.
Although his childhood wasn't spent in financial hardship like many other Brazilian footballers, Cunha's early years were not smooth. He had to face racism and regional prejudice. People from northeastern Brazil are often mockingly called 'Paraíba'.
The biggest hardship of Cunha's childhood was leaving his family. At just 13 years old, he traveled a thousand kilometers away to Curitiba with the dream of becoming a footballer. For a teenager, a new city, a new environment, and being away from family was not easy. However, this childhood sacrifice made Cunha mentally strong.
How strong? Proof of this can be found in the fact that Cunha was repeatedly rejected in trials. Sometimes coaches didn't see enough talent in him, and other times he didn't even get a chance to trial. Many would give up in such situations. But Cunha, who had built a wall of mental fortitude in his childhood, understood that if the path was closed in Brazil, he would have to look for opportunities elsewhere.
As he thought, so he did. In 2017, at just 18 years old, he moved to Europe, landing at FC Sion in Switzerland. Leaving behind family, friends, and familiar surroundings to move to an unknown country, he had probably taken the biggest risk of his life. He knew that adapting to the language, culture, and lifestyle of Switzerland would be incredibly difficult. For someone whose goal is to reach the top, these challenges become a part of life.
Life did not disappoint him. Just one year later, a call came from RB Leipzig. He didn't play regularly for the German club, but whenever he got a chance, he showed flashes of his talent. Impressed by the Brazilian forward's ability, Hertha Berlin signed him. It was here that his career gained momentum. He caught attention in Berlin not just by scoring goals, but through his creativity and versatile role in attack on the field.
Atletico Madrid signed him for a hefty sum after seeing his performances in Berlin. However, Cunha probably endured the toughest period of his career here. The competition for a spot in the team, limited opportunities, and immense pressure from expectations left him somewhat crushed.
In the midst of two seasons of failure, Wolverhampton arrived as a sheer blessing for him. After joining the Premier League club on loan, he later made the move permanent and found a new chapter in his life. Adapting to the fast-paced football of the Premier League, he literally flourished. After spending some of his best years at Wolverhampton, he is now electrifying the pitch in a Manchester United jersey.
Oh, and we haven't even talked about the Brazil national team! Brazil has never lacked forwards. But Cunha's specialty is that he is not just a striker; when needed, he can also play as a winger, second striker, or attacking midfielder. This versatility has set him apart. However, in his five-year international career, he hasn't gotten many playing opportunities.
The 2022 World Cup deserves a special mention here. One afternoon in November of that year, Brazil's then-coach Tite was announcing the squad for the Qatar World Cup. Cunha was sitting in front of the TV, anxiously waiting to hear his name. But it didn't happen. Not getting the chance, he sat there and wept profusely that day. The video of his heart-wrenching sobs touched millions of football fans on social media.
Four years later, everything changed. In this World Cup, he donned Brazil's iconic number 9 jersey. Getting a spot in the starting eleven against Haiti, he scored a brace. His 'surfing' celebration after both goals is now a topic of discussion. Not just for the Haiti match, but this trademark celebration is deeply connected to his personal life. He regularly surfs outside of football. When he goes to Brazil on vacation, he loves spending time on the waves. So, during his goal celebrations, he mimics riding a surfboard to express that love.
Cunha's magical performances have brought the familiar Brazil back to the world stage. And he himself has gone from the field next to the slum to become Brazil's hero of victory. This journey of success can be an inspiration for many young footballers. One who was rejected in trials, left his country, hit rock bottom, faced criticism – yet never stopped. When one door closed, he searched for a new one. When others spoke harshly, he kept faith in himself.
Cunha has proven that talent can take you to the door, but to open it, you need hard work, effort, and self-confidence.
