Cunha Could Restore Brazil’s Lost Joy

Brazil beat Haiti 3-0, but the article uses the result to argue that Matheus Cunha may be the key to restoring Brazil’s football identity. The piece recalls how the author grew up in the 1990s seeing Brazil as the team of freedom, joy and dancing, and contrasts that image with Brazil’s struggles in recent World Cups, where pressure has repeatedly broken the side.

Brazil won the 1994 World Cup with Romario and Bebeto, and the 2002 title with Ronaldinho joining Ronaldo, but the team has since lost its way. Over the last 20 years, the article says, Brazil has arrived at tournaments as a different team each time, one that does not dance and collapses under pressure. That trend is traced through Kaka, Neymar and Vinicius Junior, while the home World Cup 12 years ago is described as a period when media noise, social media and squad politics overwhelmed the team.

Cunha is presented as the player who can bring back the missing spirit, even if he is not Brazil’s biggest star, strongest finisher or most dazzling dribbler. The article says he brings soul, effort and joy, and that his season at Manchester United, where he scored 10 goals, showed he can deliver in decisive moments and lift supporters with his energy and celebrations.

The key challenge, the article says, lies with Vinicius Junior. It portrays him as a brilliant but combustible player burdened by conflicts from Real Madrid, including arguments with referees and rival fans. For Brazil to go far, Vinicius must set aside ego and anger, embrace Cunha’s lighter spirit, and help the team return to playing with freedom. Only then, the piece argues, can Brazil realistically chase a sixth World Cup title.