He began as a dynamic, ball-carrying midfielder. Today, he is one of Manchester City’s most influential players operating from right-back. Matheus Nunes’ reinvention is nearing completion — and it could yet shape Roberto Martinez’s plans for the 2026 World Cup.

“Matheus Nunes is one of the best players in the world.”

That was the verdict of Pep Guardiola in 2022, after City dismantled Sporting CP 5-0 in Lisbon. The Catalan coach had already identified the Portuguese international as a player suited to his model, and it was only a matter of time before he secured his signature.

Yet early promise did not translate into immediate impact. After a standout spell in midfield at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nunes initially struggled to convince Guardiola. In a system built on positional precision and tactical discipline, he lacked the consistency required to thrive centrally.

But another opportunity emerged.

Reinvented on the right

During the 2023/24 campaign, Nunes became a secondary figure in City’s squad. Guardiola, however, saw untapped potential in a different role. With right-back a recurring problem position, the City manager began preparing Nunes for a transition few anticipated.

There were teething problems — including costly errors in high-profile fixtures such as the Manchester derby — but Guardiola persisted.

“He can be an incredible right-back because he’s a defensive midfielder with extraordinary physical ability,” Guardiola said earlier this season. “Now it’s up to him. It’s about changing his mindset and believing he can do it.”

As so often in Guardiola’s career, the experiment paid off.

Nunes is no longer the box-to-box force who shone under Ruben Amorim during Sporting’s title-winning campaign. Instead, he has evolved into a modern, possession-oriented full-back — one capable of drifting inside, dictating tempo and accelerating attacks from deep.

The numbers behind the rise

The statistical evidence underlines his transformation.

In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Nunes has recorded 1,931 touches — the highest tally in the City squad. From right-back, he has effectively become an auxiliary midfielder, orchestrating build-up play and linking defence with attack.

He also leads City in ball recoveries (120) and ranks second in successful passes (1,287). In duels won (107), he trails only Jeremy Doku and Nico O’Reilly.

Most strikingly, Nunes tops the squad for successful passes into the final third (377), ahead of Bernardo Silva — a statistic that captures his growing influence in advanced areas despite nominally operating as a defender.

There is, inevitably, a trade-off. Nunes also leads the team in misplaced passes (162) and times dispossessed (264). Yet those figures reflect the risk profile of a player frequently receiving under pressure and attempting progressive, vertical actions.

His 17 completed dribbles — fifth-best in the squad — further highlight the midfielder’s instincts that still define his game.

A timely breakthrough for Portugal?

If his club reinvention is nearly complete, the international chapter remains unfinished.

Despite 17 caps for Portugal national football team, Nunes has started only two competitive matches and has yet to do so under Martínez. Since EURO 2024, his involvement has been limited, including a brief appearance in World Cup qualifying.

However, tactical developments may work in his favour. Martínez’s recent experimentation — including deploying João Neves at right-back — suggests an openness to hybrid profiles. In that context, Nunes’ evolution appears perfectly timed.

Competition remains fierce, with Joao Cancelo, Diogo Dalot and Nelson Semedo all established options. Nunes has played just 17 minutes at right-back for the national side.

Yet what he has demonstrated in the Premier League — arguably the most demanding domestic competition in world football — places him firmly in contention, not just for inclusion, but potentially for a starting berth.

Having admitted he only embraced the positional change “after listening to a lot of people and talking to the psychologist,” Nunes’ journey reflects both adaptability and resilience.

From midfield dynamo to tactical fulcrum at full-back, his transformation has exceeded expectations — and may yet redefine his international future.