Matheus Nunes, the Manchester City midfielder, has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of stealing a mobile phone in a Madrid nightclub. The incident allegedly took place at La Riviera nightclub in the early hours of September 8, where Nunes was taken into custody for questioning.
According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo, the arrest occurred around 5:30 AM after a 58-year-old man accused Nunes of snatching his phone when the man attempted to take a photo of him without permission in the bathroom. It’s claimed that Nunes acted out of anger and refused to return the device.
Police were called to the scene, and upon arrival, they confirmed that Nunes still had the phone in his possession. The footballer was reportedly handcuffed at the nightclub before being transported to a nearby National Police station for further questioning.
Following the intervention of his lawyer, Nunes was released a few hours later. However, it has been reported that he may face charges and a trial concerning the incident, as noted by a police spokesman.
While the police confirmed that a Portuguese national born in 1998—matching Nunes’ birth year—was arrested, they did not specify whether he was indeed the footballer. A source close to the investigation indicated that the matter will likely be resolved through legal proceedings.
Nunes was reportedly in Madrid with friends at the time, having been left out of the Portugal national team for international duty. Following his arrest, he returned to football, coming off the bench in Manchester City’s first match post-international break against Brentford.
He contributed to the team’s success by scoring during a Carabao Cup match against Watford, where he made his first start of the season. Although he was an unused substitute in City’s recent Premier League games against Arsenal and Newcastle, he played the full match in their Champions League victory over Slovan Bratislava.
This incident marks a notable off-field issue for the player, who has been adjusting to his role within Manchester City after moving from Wolves. As the legal process unfolds, the implications for Nunes’ career and personal life remain to be seen.