Matheus Nunes, the Portuguese-Brazilian midfielder for Manchester City, took advantage of a break during the 2025 Club World Cup to showcase his love for Flamengo. On June 28, following an impressive 5-2 victory over Juventus, the 27-year-old was spotted in a sports memorabilia store in Miami, choosing a retro jersey of the Rio de Janeiro club. Having been born in Rio and raised in São Gonçalo before moving to Portugal at the age of 13, Nunes has always expressed his affection for Flamengo, a sentiment shared by his entire family. A video capturing this moment, shared by the red-and-black club on their social media, quickly went viral, eliciting a strong reaction from fans.
The Flamengo brand has gained significant recognition on the global stage, particularly during the World Cup, which features elite teams such as Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. Nunes’ appearance in the store, selecting a retro Flamengo jersey inspired by the team’s 1980s designs, highlights his emotional connection to the club, especially ahead of their upcoming match against Bayern on June 29.
During the tournament, Nunes has proven to be a valuable asset for Manchester City, participating in three matches with one assist and an 87% pass accuracy rate. His family ties to Flamengo run deep, as he grew up surrounded by ardent supporters of the club and frequently watched their games as a child. His choice of the retro jersey symbolizes his pride in Flamengo’s storied history, particularly referencing their 1981 World Cup victory against Liverpool.
The video of Nunes and his choice of gear has provided Flamengo with a prime opportunity to enhance their international reach. The club’s English social media account showcased the video, which garnered over 50,000 views within hours, reflecting Flamengo’s ongoing strategy to engage with a global audience. The Club World Cup in the U.S. serves as a platform for Flamengo to demonstrate its brand, especially as they maintain a “Casa Flamengo” in Orlando to cater to their fans.
Flamengo’s marketing efforts have shown impressive results, with merchandise sales in the U.S. surging by 35% during the tournament, particularly in regions like Miami, Orlando, and Philadelphia. The store where Nunes chose his jersey specializes in licensed Brazilian club merchandise, with the retro Flamengo jersey being one of the most sought-after items.
As the Club World Cup continues, Flamengo’s presence and support from the Brazilian community in the U.S. is palpable. With around 40,000 Flamengo fans expected to attend their match against Bayern, the atmosphere is set to mirror the energy of the Maracanã stadium, complete with flags, songs, and fan mosaics.
Meanwhile, Nunes has made notable contributions at Manchester City, having been signed for £60 million in 2023. His versatility and performance under Pep Guardiola have paved the way for him as a key player, particularly as he prepares for the significant clash against Al-Hilal.
This intertwining of Nunes’s personal loyalty to Flamengo and his current professional commitments illustrates the deep-seated connections players have to their roots and the expanding influence of Brazilian football on international stages.