Matheus Cunha can’t currently play for Wolves at the moment – but he did get to make his long-awaited return to the Brazil national team this weekend.
Matheus Cunha is currently serving a ban, after getting sent off for Wolves against Bournemouth in the FA Cup.
Cunha was initially set to miss three games for Wolves.
But the FA increased Cunha’s ban to four games for his behaviour after getting the red card. So as well as the next game with West Ham United, he will now miss the big clash with Ipswich Town.
So this international break is a chance for Cunha to get some minutes into his legs.
And he managed to do that on Friday against Colombia.
Mario Lemina sends message to former Wolves teammate Matheus Cunha after making Brazil return
Photo by Mateus Bonomi/Anadolu via Getty Images
Photo by Mateus Bonomi/Anadolu via Getty Images
Cunha’s recent call-up to the Brazil squad will have been very welcome for Wolves’ number 10.
He had not played for his country since the World Cup qualifier against Uruguay back in October 2023, so Cunha has had to be patient.
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Given his form for Wolves, that is perhaps somewhat surprising.
But it just goes to show the depth Brazil have in their attacking positions.
Against Colombia, Cunha played just over half an hour, helping his side to an important 2-1 win. Vinicius Jr struck in the 99th minute to win Brazil the game.
That result puts Brazil on 21 points. They are in third place in the qualifying table, with the top six qualifying directly for the World Cup finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
It was a must-win game for Brazil, who are only actually two points above sixth place.
It was good to see Cunha back out there in a yellow shirt, and after the game he received a message from Mario Lemina.
The former Wolves captain commented on Cunha’s Instagram post, writing ‘trop fort’, which means ‘too strong’.
Cunha wants to deliver for Brazil
It must have been very satisfying for Cunha to get called up to the Brazil squad again after over a year away from the squad.
He’s been unlucky to miss out, but now he has the chance to make an impression again.
Matheus Cunha for Brazil (2021-present)
Caps – 12
Goals – 0
Assists – 0
Cunha has said he’ll try to live up to expectations for Brazil and wants to repay the faith shown in him by Dorival Junior.
But Brazil obviously have a seriously strong pool of attacking options.
So he’ll need to keep playing to a very high standard if he’s to keep getting selected.