Matheus Nunes: Biography, Salary Net Worth, Career, And Transfer History

Football is full of underdog stories — players who rise from humble beginnings to play on the biggest stages in the world. But Matheus Nunes’ story has a special kind of magic. It’s about grit, belief, a few well-timed opportunities, and the kind of talent you just can’t teach.

In this post, we’re going to walk through his journey step-by-step: where he came from, how his career took off, the money moves (literally), his salary and net worth, and every single transfer he’s made. And of course, we’ll sprinkle in some fun facts along the way.

Early Life — The Rio Beginning

Matheus Luiz Nunes was born on 27 August 1998 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Now, if you know anything about Rio, you’ll know it’s a city that breathes football. Kids grow up playing barefoot in the streets, on the beach, or anywhere you can roll a ball.

For Nunes, football was more than just a pastime — it was an escape and a dream. But his life was about to take a big turn. At just 12 years old, he moved with his mother to Portugal. It wasn’t exactly a straight shot to stardom from there — in fact, his rise to the top was slower than you might expect for someone now playing at Manchester City.

First Steps in Football — Ericeirense to Estoril

In Portugal, Matheus joined Ericeirense, a local amateur club. Imagine playing on small pitches, without the fancy facilities we see in top academies — yet this was where his work ethic was forged.

By 2018, he made the jump to GD Estoril Praia, a club playing in the Portuguese second division (LigaPro). This was his first taste of professional-level football. While he didn’t become an instant superstar, his performances were solid enough to catch the attention of Sporting CP, one of Portugal’s biggest clubs.

Sporting CP — The Big Break

In January 2019, Matheus signed for Sporting on a five-and-a-half-year deal. Sporting bought 50% of his economic rights for around €500,000, with a release clause of €45 million. Later, they upped the release clause to €60 million after extending his contract.

Sporting became the place where Nunes truly made a name for himself.

• Primeira Liga Debut: June 2020, in a 2–2 draw with Vitória de Guimarães.

• First Goal: January 2021 against Braga.

• Memorable Moment: February 2021 — scoring a last-minute winner against Benfica in the Lisbon derby, earning Man of the Match honors.

He wasn’t just a squad player — he became a crucial part of Sporting’s midfield. During his time there, he helped them win:

• Primeira Liga (2020–21)

• Taça da Liga (2020–21, 2021–22)

• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira (2021)

Premier League Calling — Wolves Move

By 2022, his performances in Portugal had European scouts buzzing. In August 2022, Wolves came knocking, paying around €45 million plus add-ons. Sporting also kept 10% of any future sale — a smart move, as it turned out.

At Wolves, Matheus didn’t waste time making an impression. His highlight moment? An absolute screamer against Chelsea in April 2023 that won Premier League Goal of the Month.

Stats at Wolves:

• 41 appearances in all competitions

• 1 goal (the Chelsea stunner)

• 1 assist

While Wolves struggled at times, Nunes’ ability to drive forward from midfield stood out. It was clear he was destined for an even bigger stage.

Manchester City — The Pep Era Begins

Fast forward to September 1, 2023 — the last day of the transfer window. Manchester City signed Nunes for around £53 million (€62M), tying him down to a five-year deal until 2028.

Now, joining a Pep Guardiola side is no small thing. Pep’s system demands intelligence, adaptability, and technical perfection. And Nunes was about to learn a whole new side of football.

First Months at City

• Debut: September 16, 2023, against West Ham.

• First Start: Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade.

• First Trophy: FIFA Club World Cup in December 2023, where he even provided an assist in the final.

Interestingly, Pep began using him in multiple roles — including right-back. Yes, a central midfielder at right-back! It took some time to adjust, but Nunes showed his versatility, becoming a useful tool in City’s tactical arsenal.

City Stats So Far

• 2023–24 Season: 29 appearances, 0 goals, 5 assists.

• 2024–25 Season (so far): 30 appearances, 3 goals, 8 assists.

International Career — Choosing Portugal Over Brazil

This is one of the most fascinating parts of his story. In 2021, Brazil’s coach Tite called him up, but due to COVID-19 quarantine restrictions, he turned it down. Instead, Nunes accepted a call-up from Portugal, having lived there for over a decade.

His Portugal debut came on October 9, 2021, in a 3–0 win over Qatar. By March 2022, he was scoring in World Cup qualifiers, netting against Turkey in a crucial playoff.

Major tournaments:

• 2022 FIFA World Cup — made appearances as Portugal reached the quarter-finals.

• UEFA Euro 2024 — played two matches before Portugal exited on penalties to France.

As of mid-2025, Nunes has 16 caps and 2 goals for Portugal.

Playing Style — The Pep Project

Matheus Nunes is often described as a box-to-box midfielder — someone who can carry the ball from deep, link play, and break lines with powerful runs.

What makes him stand out?

• Dribbling through pressure (very rare for midfielders his size)

• Energy & pressing

• Adaptability (can play CM, CAM, and even RB)

Off the pitch, he’s surprisingly low-key. In interviews, he admits he doesn’t watch much football in his free time, preferring Netflix and relaxing. Pep has even joked about how unusual that is for a top player — but it doesn’t stop him from performing.

Salary — The Numbers

When it comes to wages, Matheus has come a long way from his Ericeirense days.

At Wolves:

• Around £85,000 per week (~£4.42 million/year).

At Manchester City:

• £130,000 per week (~£6.76 million/year).

• Contract runs until June 2028.

• Total contract value: roughly £27.1 million before bonuses.

That’s before endorsements and bonuses kick in — and at City, there’s plenty of silverware-related bonus money to go around.

Net Worth — The Estimate

Net worth figures always vary depending on the source, but based on salary, bonuses, and endorsements:

• Some sources estimate around £5 million (~$6.3M).

• Others put it closer to £7 million (~$9M).

Given his move to City and ongoing salary, his net worth is likely to keep climbing sharply in the next few years.

Transfer History Recap

Let’s break down his moves in a quick table:

Why Nunes’ Story Stands Out

What makes Matheus Nunes’ journey so compelling is how normal it feels before the big break. This wasn’t a wonderkid spotted at 15 and thrown into the limelight. He worked his way up from amateur football to the top, step by step.

He’s proof that:

• Not all stars peak early.

• Determination and seizing the right moments can change everything.

• Adaptability (even playing right-back at times) can make you invaluable to world-class managers.

Final Thoughts

Matheus Nunes’ rise from Rio’s streets to Manchester City’s trophy-laden squad is the stuff football dreams are made of. At 26, he’s already won league titles, domestic cups, and a Club World Cup. Yet, he’s still got years ahead of him to hit his peak.

Whether he cements himself as a permanent midfield starter for City or becomes Pep’s ultimate tactical wildcard, one thing’s for sure — the journey is far from over.

And for fans, that means plenty more powerful runs, clever assists, and maybe even another Premier League Goal of the Month contender.