26 May 2026 07:02 BST |
5 min read
Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha has inadvertently become entangled in the Neymar soap opera unfolding in Brazil.
The injury-prone 34-year-old made headlines last week when he was, somewhat surprisingly, named to Brazil’s final World Cup roster. After being constantly inundated with questions about Neymar by the local press, Carlo Ancelotti gave in and included him.
On the face of it, the megastar’s nomination shouldn’t have raised eyebrows given that he is a difference-maker on his day. However, the fact that he was called up at the expense of in-form Chelsea star Joao Pedro caused consternation.
The 24-year-old, having scored 20 goals in all competitions for the Blues this term, looked a shoo-in for the final roster, only to be left heartbroken. “They say European football is more intense, but playing football here in Brazil is very complicated,” Ancelotti explained his decision.
“There’s a tight schedule, travel, heat – it’s difficult to compare them. Then there are the individual characteristics of the players. We are sad for Joao Pedro. Given the season he had with Chelsea, he probably deserved it, but unfortunately, with all respect, we chose other players.”
Ancelotti warned against starting Neymar
A week on, the Neymar decision is still being hotly discussed in Brazil. There are major question marks over how Ancelotti will line his team up at the World Cup, and the suggestion that the veteran could start is driving one pundit crazy.
Fernando Kallas has published a column in O Globo in which he shares his thoughts on who should start in attack for the Selecao. To him, picking Man Utd forward Matheus Cunha is a no-brainer.
Neymar should be nowhere near the starting lineup, according to Kallas, and he should certainly not be in the team ahead of Cunha, who netted 10 goals in his first season at Old Trafford.
“No Brazilian attacking player had a better season this year than Matheus Cunha,” Kallas argues, describing the forward as “one of the pillars” of Man Utd’s recent resurgence.
He laughed off the idea of Neymar being given the nod ahead of the 26-year-old, writing: “This column is about Matheus Cunha, the guy many are suggesting should be benched to make room for Neymar.
“Regardless of who is behind him, Cunha was one of the best players of the season in the best league in the world. Just the idea of him not being in Brazil’s starting team seems like complete madness to me.”
Brazil need Cunha because he is “the engine and the escape valve” and “a buffalo doing ant’s work,” Kallas explained. “Basically, when the team is under pressure, you give the ball to Cunha, and he will do everything possible to carry it 10 to 15 metres closer to the box.”
A 34-year-old Neymar, ravaged by repeated injuries, no longer has the capacity to do this at a world-class level. Cunha, on the other hand, looks poised to play an outsized role for his country on the biggest stage this summer.
Related stories:
Build The FIFA World Cup 2026™: LEGO© releases stunning football-inspired collection
Arsenal Transfer News Today: ‘Aggressive’ Alvarez move as Kroenke says ‘business never stops’
Chelsea Transfer News Today: Joao Pedro record bid ‘rejected’ as Morgan Rogers pursuit boosted
Man Utd Transfer News Today: Casemiro 2.0 found as Anderson set for ‘best club in the world’
Transfer Rumours: Man Utd thrilled with €100m Greenwood ‘dream’ as ‘aggressive’ move ready
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
•Google Play
•App Store
