World Cup: Cunha opens up on famous surfing celebrations after inspiring Brazil to first win
Manchester United and Brazil midfielder Matheus Cunha is now a famous figure for his now-customary fashion of pretending to surf a wave whenever he scores a goal.
The Brazil No. 9 was the match hero, scoring a brace as Carlo Ancelotti’s Selecao claimed their first win of the 2026 World Cup.
In his first World Cup start on Saturday, June 20, 2026, Cunha made a memorable start, netting two goals in a 3-0 thumping of Haiti in Philadelphia to hand the Seleção their first victory of the group and send them to the top of Group C above Morocco.
Speaking to FIFA, the former Wolves star explained that his celebration, where he pretends to surf a wave, was inspired by his birthplace in the town of Joao Pessoa in northeastern Brazil and his friend, Brazilian Italo Ferreira. Ferreira is the winner of the 2019 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour title and the inaugural Olympic surfing gold medalist from the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Penchant for surfing
“I’m from Joao Pessoa [in northeastern Brazil] and I first started surfing in Baia Formosa [Ferreira’s hometown],” Cunha explained. “Surfing has become a big part of my life, a way to relax. I’m very good friends with Italo. Surfing has become a part of my routine. I’d say I spend just as much time following surfing as I do football.”
On his scoring exploits against Haiti, the attacker described it as living the best days of his life.
“It’s one of the best days of my life,” Cunha told FIFA. “Everyone dreams of representing Brazil at a World Cup. And to think that I scored two goals; I helped the team… I am in ecstasy. I must be dreaming.”
Missing out in Qatar
The 27-year-old also reflected on his disappointment of missing the Qatar World Cup in 2022 after playing a part in the qualifier matches only to be left out of the final squad by coach Tite.
“After everything I have been through, I’ve grown a little wiser and matured. I just try to live in the moment,” Cunha said. “[Achieving] my dream of playing at a World Cup fills me with so much pride.
“I did everything I could to be at the last World Cup, but it was not to be. But thanks to God, I’ve been blessed to be at this one now. I’m happy I can help; it’s all I have ever dreamt of,” he explained.
