Man City star admits he doesn’t watch football – and gives a funny reason why

Manchester City midfielder Matheus Nunes may have scored one of the most dramatic winners of his career recently, but what he admitted after the game shocked fans just as much as his late goal. The 25-year-old Portuguese international revealed something that most footballers wouldn’t dare say in public — he doesn’t actually watch football.

After netting a stoppage-time winner against Aston Villa, Nunes basked in the spotlight, helping push Pep Guardiola’s side closer to a top-four finish. It was the type of moment every professional dreams of, especially in such a competitive Premier League season. But when the cameras turned to him post-match, his words were not what many expected to hear from a player wearing the sky blue of Manchester City.

“I don’t really watch football,” Nunes said bluntly, with a hint of a smile. “It’s just that our daily routine is already filled with football.”

That one statement rippled through fan circles, sparking mixed reactions across social media. While some were stunned, others related to the logic. For Nunes, football is his profession, and like anyone else, sometimes passion can feel like work when you live it every day.

“It’s like if you worked on a computer all day – when you get home, you wouldn’t want to sit at a computer again,” he explained, drawing a comparison many fans found surprisingly relatable.

The confession is rare in the football world, where players are often assumed to eat, sleep, and breathe the sport. Most fans idolize footballers as people who grew up watching legendary matches and idolizing stars of the game. For many, it’s hard to imagine someone playing at the elite level without being deeply invested as a viewer too.

Yet Nunes isn’t alone in this mindset. Over the years, a few other players have hinted at similar sentiments — that the job itself is so intense and consuming, the idea of watching more football outside training and matchdays feels more like a chore than leisure.

It’s important to note that Nunes hasn’t said this out of disrespect or indifference. His performances on the pitch show that his commitment remains firm. Scoring the winning goal in such a crucial game speaks volumes about his concentration, work ethic, and talent. Watching football, it seems, just doesn’t feature in his downtime.

Matheus Nunes joined Manchester City in 2023 from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal worth £53 million. It was a big move that raised eyebrows, considering how crowded Guardiola’s midfield options already were. But in his limited opportunities, Nunes has shown glimpses of brilliance — the goal against Villa being the biggest highlight of his City career so far.

This moment may serve as a turning point in his season, and perhaps in his long-term standing in Guardiola’s squad. Pep is known to value adaptability and mental strength just as much as technical ability, and Nunes’s cool head and decisive finish could go a long way.

It also raises an interesting discussion about how modern footballers consume the game. With so much time spent in tactical meetings, training sessions, match analyses, and press duties, it’s possible that watching a 90-minute game on TV just doesn’t appeal after all that.

In an era where football is hyper-analyzed, with pundits breaking down every touch and mistake, players may prefer to switch off and disconnect. For many, that mental rest is essential for maintaining focus and well-being.

That said, some fans might worry whether a player can keep improving without studying the game from a viewer’s perspective. However, Nunes seems to be a case study that talent, discipline, and the right coaching can outweigh the need to be a fan off the pitch.

Perhaps there’s even an argument that avoiding overconsumption of football helps players stay mentally fresher. The constant noise around tactics, form, and media scrutiny can drain even the most seasoned pros.

In the end, it’s a matter of personal preference. For Nunes, not watching football isn’t about rebellion — it’s about balance. It’s about separating work from rest, and finding other ways to relax and stay mentally sharp.

And if he keeps delivering moments like that late winner against Villa, fans might not care how he spends his evenings — as long as he turns up when it matters.