Matheus Cunha’s unfortunate muscle injury during Manchester United’s Premier League clash against Burnley has forced him to withdraw from the Brazilian national team’s upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Bolivia. The 26-year-old striker, who joined Manchester United from Wolves this summer, was substituted in the 28th minute of the match, a 3-2 victory for the Red Devils at Old Trafford. Following consultations between the medical teams of Manchester United and the Brazilian national team, the decision was made to exclude Cunha from the squad due to the severity of the injury. This setback comes as a blow to both Cunha and the Brazilian team as they prepare for their final two qualifying matches.
Cunha’s withdrawal adds to the growing list of injury concerns for Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti. He is the fourth player to be ruled out of the initial squad announced on Monday, joining Newcastle’s Joelinton, Flamengo’s Alex Sandro, and Monaco’s Vanderson on the sidelines. Ancelotti has responded to Cunha’s absence by calling up winger Samuel Lino, who recently joined Brazilian club Flamengo from Atletico Madrid in July. Lino’s inclusion provides Ancelotti with an attacking option as he navigates the challenges posed by the accumulating injuries within his squad.
Brazil has already secured qualification for next year’s World Cup, currently sitting third in the ten-team South American qualifying group. Their final two matches hold less significance in terms of qualification but still offer an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations and solidify their standing. They will first face Chile, the only team already eliminated from contention, at the iconic Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on September 4th. Five days later, they will travel to El Alto, Bolivia, to face a Bolivian side that could also be eliminated by that point. The high-altitude conditions in El Alto will present a unique challenge for the Brazilian team.
Cunha’s injury is a setback in his efforts to establish himself within the Brazilian national team setup. Having made his debut in 2021, he has earned 8 caps and scored 1 goal. The former Hertha Berlin and RB Leipzig forward was hoping to use these qualifiers to impress Ancelotti and solidify his place in the squad for the upcoming World Cup. The injury now forces him to focus on recovery and regaining his fitness at Manchester United. He will aim to return to club action as soon as possible and contribute to the Red Devils’ campaign.
The Brazilian national team, despite the injury setbacks, remains a strong contender for the World Cup title. Under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, they possess a wealth of talent and experience across all positions. The upcoming matches against Chile and Bolivia, while inconsequential for qualification, provide valuable opportunities for Ancelotti to assess different players and tactical approaches. He will be looking to build momentum and cohesion within the squad as they head into the World Cup. The integration of new players like Samuel Lino and the management of existing talent will be crucial in achieving this objective.
The final two qualifying matches also serve as important preparation for the challenges that await Brazil at the World Cup. While the South American qualifiers offer a unique competitive landscape, the World Cup presents a different level of intensity and pressure. Ancelotti will use these matches to evaluate the team’s performance under varying conditions and against different playing styles. He will also be keen to instill a winning mentality and foster a strong team spirit within the squad, essential ingredients for success on the global stage. The journey to the World Cup is a marathon, not a sprint, and navigating these final qualifiers effectively is a crucial step towards achieving ultimate glory.
