From serving coffee in Lisbon to becoming “one of the best right-backs in the world” - This is the story of Matheus Nunes

Picture the scene. A young Matheus Nunes behind a café counter in Lisbon, balancing trays of coffee and pastel de nata (a Portuguese egg custard tart pastry), unaware that his route to the top of the soccer pyramid would be anything but straightforward. It’s a long way from those early mornings to hearing Pep Guardiola describe you as “one of the best” in his position.

That journey, even now, feels slightly improbable given the sizeable holes in the road.

Not so long ago, Nunes was carving out a reputation as a dynamic midfielder. Today, at Manchester City, he has become something else entirely: a dependable, high-functioning right-back trusted in both directions of play. Most recently, when the FA Cup allowed rotation against Southampton, he stayed on. A full ninety minutes, again. Up and down the flank, again, and ultimately – if not as comfortably as predicted by many – in the team that progressed to the final.

Guardiola’s latest praise was simple. “Defensively, attention to the line, arriving to the by-line – many, many good things,” he said, “Matheus Nunes is becoming one of the best right-backs in the world.” Words that highlight the complete package that he expects from that position. And especially powerful given it’s not the role he played throughout his development.

The journey of Matheus Nunes

Born in Rio de Janeiro, but raised in Portugal from the age of 12, his soccer education was anything but elite. He was still outside the professional system at 19, playing locally and working shifts at his godfather’s bakery. Trials came and went, with impressive clubs like Benfica and Braga passing him over. Even a trial with Leicester City didn’t see him catch hold. For a while, his trajectory pointed nowhere in particular.

Then things moved quickly. A foothold at Estoril, a leap to Sporting, a league and cup double there, and suddenly the same coach now reinventing him had already taken notice, calling him one of the best players in the world after a Champions League meeting. No doubt his name had been added to the Abu Dhabi shopping list by then.

Sometimes a players importance is reflected in his absence as much as his presence, and there are hints of this with Nunes this season, although with so many variables I wouldn’t want to press the point. That may, however, become irresistible if it were to continue, and summer transfer decisions – including that of the praising manager – could also shine a light on his importance.

City and Nunes eyeing treble

Next up for City is an away trip to Everton. One cup is in the bag. Only Chelsea stand in front of another. The biggest one involves, assuming no slip ups from Arsenal, winning the final four league games (and maintaining a better goal difference). Do that and the domestic treble is theirs. For Nunes, it’s a long way from serving coffees. Now his role is to serve the likes of Haaland and Semenyo, while ensuring that no-one sneaks in behind. He’s built a career on doing whatever was required next and Portugal will also likely reap the rewards at this summer’s World Cup.

From serving coffee in Lisbon to becoming “one of the best right-backs in the world” – This is the story of Matheus Nunes

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