Matheus Cunha goal celebration, explained: How Olympic gold medalist inspired Brazil star's surfing celly

Matheus Cunha goal celebration, explained: How Olympic gold medalist inspired Brazil star's surfing celly originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Matheus Cunha has given Brazil goals at World Cup 2026, and every time he scores, he gives fans a show.

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The Manchester United forward has become known for his trademark surfing celebration, breaking it out three times already at this tournament. It's more than just a fun routine, though. It traces back to a friendship with one of Brazil's biggest Olympic stars.

Here's what Cunha's celebration looks like and the story behind it.

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What is Matheus Cunha's goal celebration?

Cunha's celebration is exactly what it looks like: surfing. After he scores, the 27-year-old crouches low and spreads his arms out wide, as if he's paddling into a wave and popping up onto a board. On bigger goals, he'll extend the bit even further, dropping to the ground to mime paddling out before rising back up to "ride" it out.

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He's pulled it out twice already at this World Cup. Cunha scored twice in Brazil's 3-0 win over Haiti, in the 23rd and 36th minutes, and did the celebration after both goals, with his teammates jumping in to surf alongside him. He broke it out again after scoring in the 60th minute of Brazil's group-stage win over Scotland.

The celebration has traveled well beyond the pitch. Cunha posted a clip of it on Instagram with a surfing emoji attached, and the post drew comments from actual Brazilian pro surfers, including Joao Chianca, Pedro Scooby and Jadson Andre.

How Olympic gold medalist inspired Matheus Cunha's surfing celebration

The celebration comes from a real hobby, not just a bit. Cunha is close friends with Italo Ferreira, the Brazilian surfer who won gold in the sport's Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and also holds a World Surf League Championship Tour title from 2019.

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Cunha grew up in Joao Pessoa in northeastern Brazil and learned to surf nearby in Baia Formosa, which happens to be Ferreira's hometown. The two have surfed together for years, including at a standing wave, and Cunha has been spotted catching real waves back home between football seasons.

"Surfing has become a big part of my life, a way to relax," Cunha told FIFA. "I'm very good friends with Italo. Surfing has become a part of my routine. I'd say I spend just as much time following surfing as I do football."

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