Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes faces an injury setback as Portugal prepares for the upcoming World Cup. The full-back has been a key player for the club this season, but his fitness concerns may impact his World Cup participation.
Injury Concerns for Matheus Nunes
Matheus Nunes, 27, established himself as a regular starter for Manchester City after transitioning from a midfielder to a right-back under Pep Guardiola’s guidance. This shift proved beneficial, with Nunes making 49 appearances and playing 34 matches in the Premier League this season.
Unfortunately, he is currently sidelined due to injury. Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, confirmed in a pre-match press conference that Nunes would miss Portugal’s warm-up match against Chile. “He is not yet fit to train and is out of the squad for tomorrow,” Martinez stated. The coaching staff is cautious, hoping Nunes will be ready for the following warm-up match against Nigeria.
Portugal’s World Cup Preparations
- Next Matches:
- Portugal vs. Chile – Warm-up match
- Portugal vs. Nigeria – Second warm-up match
- Portugal vs. DR Congo – World Cup Group Stage match on June 17
Nunes faces stiff competition for a spot in the starting lineup. Other notable defenders, including former City player Joao Cancelo and Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot, are also vying for places in the squad. Additionally, Nunes is joined by his Manchester City teammates Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva in the Portuguese national team.
Manchester City’s Strong World Cup Representation
In total, Manchester City will feature a remarkable 19 players at this summer’s World Cup, the most from any club. Among them is Abdukodir Khusanov of Uzbekistan, who will compete in the same group as Portugal. These two teams will face off on June 23 in Houston.
As the tournament approaches, the expectation for Portugal is high, but the fitness of Matheus Nunes remains uncertain. His recovery will be crucial for both his national team ambitions and his performance on the international stage.
