Matheus Cunha’s Manchester United profile has travelled from the World Cup to Centre Court after Flavio Cobolli copied the forward’s surfing celebration at Wimbledon.
Manchester United’s official website highlighted Cobolli’s tribute after the Italian tennis player beat Karen Khachanov on Saturday. Cobolli recovered from a brutal opening set to win 0-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 and reach the next round.
The Sun reported that Cobolli later explained the celebration was part of a bet with his coach after watching Cunha at the World Cup. The Tennis Letter also shared the post-match clip of Cobolli explaining the tribute.
For United, this is not a tactical development. It still offers a useful sign of how quickly Cunha’s personality and celebration have travelled beyond the usual football cycle.
Cunha Celebration Keeps Building Beyond Brazil Form
Cunha arrived at Old Trafford needing more than goals to shift perception. Moments like this show how quickly his wider profile is growing.
ReadManUtd has already covered how Cunha’s Brazil exit gives United an earlier pre-season window, while his tournament form had already become a useful summer talking point for Michael Carrick.
The Wimbledon clip adds a different layer. Before pre-season has fully sharpened, Cunha is becoming one of United’s more visible players across sport.
There is a football benefit beneath the marketing angle. Carrick wants attackers carrying confidence, personality and edge into a season where United need more repeatable threat. Cunha’s celebration being copied at Wimbledon does not decide his role, but it shows a player with momentum around him.
United will still judge him on pressing, goals, combinations and consistency. The cultural noise only helps if he turns it into sharper club rhythm.
For now, though, Cunha has given United another small summer win. His Brazil campaign is over, but his profile is still moving.
