Matheus Cunha has admitted that he was left “speechless” after receiving a message of admiration from Brazilian football legend Ronaldo. The Manchester United striker has been in exceptional form during the 2026 World Cup, playing a pivotal role in Brazil’s dominant group stage performances, which prompted Ronaldo to reach out personally.

A legend recognises his successor

Since joining Manchester United from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer, Cunha has drawn widespread praise. However, few compliments could match the public recognition he received from the legendary O Fenomeno. Following Brazil’s commanding 3-0 win over Scotland on Wednesday, Ronaldo took to social media to draw a parallel between his own iconic exploits and Cunha’s current run of form.

The former Brazilian striker shared a split image — one of himself celebrating during the 2002 World Cup final against Germany, and another showing Cunha celebrating his goal against Scotland. Ronaldo captioned the post with a line that quickly went viral: “The last time a nine celebrated like this, you know what happened.”

Cunha’s heartfelt reaction to his idol

The message clearly struck an emotional chord with Cunha, who now wears the famed No. 9 shirt for Brazil under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti. The 27-year-old quickly replied to the three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, expressing both disbelief and gratitude at being acknowledged by his childhood hero. Cunha responded: “My idol! I’m speechless with pride.”

Humbled by the exchange, the Manchester United forward paid further tribute to the man who redefined the striker’s role for an entire generation. Referring to the number nine jersey, he added: “She’ll always be yours. And if you ever want to drop by to help out – I just wanted to take a look at something…”

World Cup performances validate United’s faith

Cunha’s displays in North America have fully justified Manchester United’s decision to invest in him. After a strong debut season at Old Trafford, in which he scored 10 goals and provided four assists to help the club secure a third-place finish in the Premier League, he has seamlessly carried that form into the international arena. Although he started the tournament on the bench against Morocco, his impact has quickly made him indispensable for Ancelotti’s Brazil.

Following his brace against Haiti, Cunha’s goal versus Scotland ensured Brazil advanced smoothly into the knockout rounds. His sharp finishing has placed him among the tournament’s leading scorers, with only Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Vinícius Júnior currently ahead of him in the goal charts.

Momentum building for the Carrick era

As Brazil gear up for the round of 32, Manchester United supporters are watching Cunha’s progress with mounting excitement. The striker is demonstrating the composure and confidence required to perform on football’s biggest stage — qualities that will be vital for Michael Carrick’s side as they aim to continue their upward trajectory. Cunha’s leadership in Brazil’s attack suggests he could very well become the focal point of United’s frontline for years to come.