Matheus Cunha: From Futsal to Football-and Why It Still Shapes His Game Today

When you watch Matheus Cunha light up the Premier League, what you’re really seeing is futsal in motion.

From his fearless dribbling to his rapid footwork and flair in tight spaces, Cunha plays football with the creativity and boldness that only futsal can truly teach. His journey is proof of what we believe at Manchester Futsal Club - that futsal is not just a game on its own, but a foundation for football excellence.

Photo by Getty Images

Born on the Futsal Court

Matheus Cunha grew up in João Pessoa and Recife, Brazil, where futsal wasn’t just part of sport - it was the beginning of everything.

He started playing futsal at a young age, and by 11, he was travelling more than 100 miles every weekend to train and compete in Recife. These were not casual kickabouts - this was where he learned to think fast, react even faster, and take players on with confidence.

“I played futsal growing up, and I honestly love it more than football,” Cunha once said in an interview.

“It taught me everything - quick thinking, fast dribbling, creativity.”

These skills would become the defining characteristics of his game.

Transitioning to Football

At 14, Cunha was scouted by Coritiba’s academy and moved into the world of 11-a-side football. But unlike other academy players, he already had something special.

Futsal had given him:

• Superior ball control

• Game intelligence in tight areas

• Confidence to play forward under pressure

• Mastery of 1v1 situations

  
  

These are the same principles we teach every week at Manchester Futsal Club Youth Academy.

“Players like Matheus Cunha prove what we’ve always believed - futsal builds complete footballers,” says Ilya Ovechkin, Academy Director at Manchester Futsal Club.

“His movement, intelligence, and technical aggression all come from years playing futsal. It’s not a coincidence.”

The Futsal Impact — Still Visible Today

Even now, Cunha’s game is filled with futsal DNA:

• His quick turns and feints mirror the skills learned in small-sided games.

• He beats players in tight, crowded spaces — a hallmark of futsal.

• His eye-catching goals - including a Puskás Award-nominated solo run — are the kind of moments futsal encourages every game.

  
  

“That Puskás goal - it was pure futsal,” Cunha said.

“I learned how to create magic in tight spaces. Futsal gave me that freedom.”

The Manchester Futsal Way

At Manchester Futsal Club, we’re proud to develop players the same way Cunha started: by giving them the tools to think for themselves, beat players 1v1, and express their own personality on the court.

“We are not trying to take players away from football. We’re trying to make them better at it,” adds Ilya Ovechkin.

“Cunha shows what happens when you give a young player the chance to develop the right way - with a futsal foundation. At MFC, that’s what we’re all about.”

Our Academy is built to support young footballers and futsal players alike. Whether you play futsal as your main sport or use it to support your football journey, we give players the platform to build elite technique and fearless confidence.

“Our mission is to give young players in Manchester what players like Cunha had growing up:

A place to express themselves, compete, and build elite-level technique,” says Ilya.

Ready to Begin?

At Manchester Futsal Club Youth Academy, we offer young players the opportunity to train the same way Cunha once did - in a creative, high-quality futsal environment designed to develop complete players on and off the court.

Register your child to begin the journey at www.manchesterfutsalacademy.com

Let your child take their first steps the same way the best did - on the futsal court.