From Midfielder to Key Full-Back: Matheus Nunes' Transformation Could Define Portugal's World Cup
Guardiola turned a misfit midfielder into one of Europe's best full-backs — and Portugal will reap the rewards.
Guardiola saw something others didn't — and now Matheus Nunes is one of City's most important players on the eve of the World Cup.
Matheus Nunes arrived at Manchester City as a midfielder. At the 2026 World Cup, he'll travel as one of the most dynamic full-backs in European football — a transformation that speaks volumes about both the player and the coach.
After failing to nail down a regular midfield spot in Guardiola's tightly structured system, Nunes was reinvented as a right-back. The idea was simple: a defensive midfielder with elite physical conditioning and ball-carrying ability could prove to be the ideal modern full-back. Guardiola committed to the experiment, even through the difficult early stages.
And it paid off. This season, Nunes leads all Manchester City players with 1,931 touches in the Premier League — a statistic that tells the whole story. He's not just a full-back; he's a key cog in City's build-up play.
For Roberto Martínez, it's a welcome headache. A player capable of dominating possession, pressing high, and driving into dangerous areas with the ball is exactly what Portugal need — and Nunes is already knocking firmly on the door for a starting spot at the World Cup.