Chelsea star Joao Pedro feels that Matheus Cunha now belongs in an all-important tier with other Brazil players after the Manchester United star’s debut season.
Matheus Cunha arrived at Old Trafford last summer from Wolves and the 27-year-old Brazilian forward impressed for Manchester United with his attacking influence.
The former Wolves attacker netted 10 times and registered four assists in 35 matches across all competitions for the Red Devils in the 2025-26 campaign.
Cunha, who will represent Brazil at this summer’s World Cup, has been a key United first-team player for both Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick in the latest season.
Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko become second ever PL trio to score 10+ goals in debut season🔥
What an incredible achievement, how many goals should they each be aiming for in 2026/27?
Joao Pedro on Matheus Cunha’s importance to the Brazil squad now after he moved to Man Utd in 2025
Matheus Cunha featured in Brazil’s World Cup qualifying campaign under Carlo Ancelotti, who was appointed the country’s head coach last summer.
Carlo Ancelotti included Cunha in his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, but the ex-Real Madrid manager snubbed Brazil and Chelsea star Joao Pedro from his picks.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand, Pedro admitted that Cunha is now at a “big club” like several other Brazil players, including Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and himself.
“Hopefully, hopefully, [we] have a great chance [at the World Cup],” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“I think if you watch our squad, Cunha plays for United, Rafinha [is at] Barcelona, Vini [is at] Madrid, I play for Chelsea; Endrick, now he starts to play more [for] Lyon, Igor Thiago [is at Brentford], [Gabriel] Martinelli [is at] Arsenal.”
Responding to Pedro, United legend Rio Ferdinand added: “All [at] big clubs.”
Pedro then continued: “Everyone in the big club [sic], everyone [is having] a good moment. So, I think you have a great opportunity to win the competition [World Cup].”
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Man Utd star Matheus Cunha prepares for a major milestone with Brazil at the 2026 World Cup
Cunha celebrated Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil call-up after the Man Utd star had never represented his home nation at a World Cup tournament in his playing career.
The former RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid ace will link up with United teammate Casemiro for the five-time World Cup champions’ summer campaign under Ancelotti.
Brazil punched their qualification to the World Cup tournament under Ancelotti in 2025 and the country is in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.
Ancelotti’s men will play against Panama and Egypt in June friendlies ahead of kicking off their World Cup run against Morocco in their Group C opener.
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