Matheus Cunha has opened up on the conversation he had with Ronaldinho after completing a move to Manchester United – and the Brazilian legend made a big admission.
Early in June, United declared Cunha’s arrival after activating the £62.5 million release clause in his Wolves contract.
The 26-year-old forward has already given United’s attacking line some much-needed firepower after scoring 17 goals for Wolves in all competitions the previous season.
He dazzled the Old Trafford supporters with his ball-carrying and dribbling prowess in their Premier League debut matchup with Arsenal.
The former Atletico Madrid player will be trying to have a similar impact against Fulham on Sunday. Cunha discussed his move in an interview with Sky Sports prior to the match.
Shortly after the trade was confirmed, the Brazilian shared what Ronaldinho, who influenced his playing as a child, had to say.
Cunha started: “‘Wow,’ he said. It is among the world’s largest clubs. You’re worthy of that. He also discussed his past with United, saying that playing there would have been incredible.
“He wished to play here,” Cunha continued. “He said it would have been something he would have enjoyed.”
Ronaldinho, a forward for Paris Saint-Germain at the time, was close to joining United for an estimated £19 million in the summer of 2003.
Kleberson, a former midfielder who played for Old Trafford from 2003 to 2005, would go on to discuss how close his Brazilian counterpart was to joining the Premier League team.
“Ronaldinho told me he was going to Manchester,” Kleberson said to ESPN. “He kept saying to me, ‘Come to Manchester!'” .
However, following weeks of speculation, Ronaldinho made the decision to sign with Barcelona, a move that would raise many issues among United supporters who believed they had acquired one of the greatest players in the world.
Cunha often speaks to Ronaldinho
In an interview with The Times in 2024, Cunha gave an insight into his unique relationship with Ronaldinho.
“I won’t say we’re friends — that’s too big a word when you talk about your idol — but he is an unbelievably good guy and when I take out my phone and see something from Ronaldinho I start to be nervous,” said Cunha. “I say, ‘This is my idol and I know him!”.
On the lessons he learnt from Ronaldinho, the winger added: “Always when I go to the pitch, even if I have a lot of pressure, it is to remember this is my dream. And then I only want to be here to smile and do the things that God gives me.”
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