World Cup 2026: "A final with Brazil would be special, but I just want to win, no matter who it's against"

Palm Beach — Matheus Nunes stepped up as the spokesperson for the national team on Monday, just two days before Portugal's World Cup opener against DR Congo.

One of the dominant topics at the press conference was the Manchester City player's connection to Brazil, his birth country, for which he was once called up but declined. The midfielder admitted that facing the Seleção would be special.

— Would a final against Brazil be special?

— For me, it would be special, but whatever happens, happens. I just want to be in the final, no matter who we play. Everyone knows it would be different for me if it were Brazil, but ultimately, I just want to win.

— Was it difficult to decide which national team to represent?

— It was very difficult to make the decision to choose Portugal because I am also Brazilian. I feel like I am equally both. But in terms of football, I owe much more to Portugal because it was here that I was given the opportunity to become who I am. It was where I truly played serious football, because in Brazil it was more for fun; I never played in a registered league. But I am very happy to have chosen to play for Portugal.

— If a match against Brazil happens, who will your family be rooting for?

— My relatives in Brazil wouldn't tell me, but I think they would be rooting for Brazil. But my mother would be for Portugal. When I was choosing between one national team and the other, she had a very strong opinion about which team I should choose.

— You left Brazil for Portugal very early. What ties do you still maintain with the country?

— The bond is very strong. Whenever I have time during holidays, I go to Brazil. In the last four years, I've been there three times. I always go to Rio de Janeiro, and I've also been to Porto Galinhas with Ederson. I have a lot of family in Brazil, like my sister. I have many friends; some of my friends from Rio de Janeiro are coming to watch the World Cup games now. I love the culture, I listen to Brazilian music every day, my mother is always making Brazilian food. I will never lose those ties because they are part of me. Just as I have ties with Portugal. That's why I feel like I'm half Portuguese, half Brazilian. That will never change.