Matheus Nunes

About

Professional soccer player who was born in Brazil but plays for the Portugal national team, and as a midfielder for Portugal's Primeira Liga side Sporting CP. He has 450,000 followers on Instagram.

Before Fame

He and his friends growing up rolled up socks and used them as balls to play soccer. He started his soccer career with GDU Ericeirense in the lower leagues of Portugal. Scouts soon saw his talent and signed him to Estoril in 2018.

Trivia

In 2021, after living in Portugal for ten years, Nunes received his Portuguese passport. The Brazilian national team called him up to play for Brazil. Nunes instead chose to play for Portugal after Portugal's national team manager Fernando Santos convinced him to represent Portugal.

Family Life

He grew up poor and fatherless in one of Rio de Janeiro's favelas. His Brazilian mother and Portuguese stepfather moved the family to Portugal, where Nunes worked in the family's bakery as a teenager.

Associated With

Nunes idolized Ronaldinho growing up. Critics compare his style to former Brazilian midfielding legend Kaká. As a member of Portugal's national team, he has played with his other idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. The captain of his Sporting CP team is Sebastián Coates.