Brazil forward Matheus Cunha has clarified his controversial gesture during Brazil’s 2026 World Cup match against Japan, insisting it was a show of national pride rather than disrespect.
In the heated clash, Cunha held up five fingers toward Japan’s Kento after an exchange that he perceived as lacking respect for the Brazilian shirt. The gesture directly referenced Brazil’s record five World Cup titles, a symbol deeply embedded in the country’s footballing identity.
Brazil's Matheus Cunha explains controversial five-finger gesture towards Japan during World Cup clash
The gesture went viral, with users on the internet divided in their opinions. Meanwhile, Cunha, the Manchester United star, has come up with an explanation. Speaking after the match, Cunha stressed that his reaction was not anti-Japan. He said:
“Japan is a great side and I have total respect for them.”
Cunha added:
“But we also need to respect each other on the pitch. The five fingers represent what this shirt means – five world titles. It’s about pride in representing Brazil.”
The incident quickly went viral, sparking widespread debate on social media. Many observers pointed out the irony: while Cunha proudly invoked Brazil’s historic dominance, the 26-year-old himself has no personal World Cup medals.
Brazil’s last triumph came in 2002, well before Cunha’s senior career began, and he has limited major international silverware to date. The moment added extra spice to what was already a tense Group stage encounter between two technically gifted teams.
Brazil entered the tournament as one of the favorites, while Japan continued its rise as a formidable Asian powerhouse capable of upsetting traditional giants. However, their 2026 campaign came to an end last night with a 1-2 loss against the Brazilian side in a hard-fought battle.
FIFA has not commented on the incident, and no disciplinary action has been reported so far. Cunha’s explanation appears aimed at cooling tensions and refocusing attention on football amid the passionate atmosphere of the World Cup.
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