During Manchester City's preseason training camp in Korea, Nunes was interviewed by The Athletic and other media outlets. In the first part of this exclusive interview, he discussed his experience being converted to full-back and revealed that he consulted a psychologist because of the transition. Related links:

You were converted to full-back at Manchester City.

"I talked to a lot of people, I saw a psychologist, I talked to my friends. I always told them: 'I'm not a full-back, I'm not a full-back,' and they always said: 'No, but you play so well.'"

"Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias were also very persistent—they were always in my head saying: 'You play well at right-back, you play well at right-back, you should accept it' (laughs). And I kept saying: 'No, no, no, no, no, no, no.' It was always like that."

"But at some point, you have to listen to what people are saying. You can't deny it your whole life. If you give up, you might miss out on an opportunity, and if I had done that, I would have really regretted it."

Just this April, Guardiola said you "are becoming one of the best right-backs in the world."

"Honestly, if I hadn't changed my mindset, I would never have been able to perform well there, and he wouldn't say such things. The reason he said that might be because he started to see something that others couldn't see—that I can really handle this role."

"And it's not just about being competent; it's about excelling in this role. But for me to do that, I must first believe in myself. Otherwise, I can't do it. I think the most important thing for me was changing my mindset and believing that I could become the player he said I could be."

He also repeatedly said you were "not smart enough" and "lacked composure," suggesting you weren't suited to midfield.

"He didn't mean that. He talked to me the next day and explained that he didn't mean it that way. He said that in tight spaces—like with Bernardo Silva—he felt I was sometimes not clean enough in my play, not that I lack intelligence. He said he would never say such a thing."

"He never had the chance to really clarify it, so people obviously don't understand. But I think a player who isn't intelligent can't play well in as many different positions as I have."

During the 2024-25 season, Manchester City faced difficult times, and you were deployed in multiple positions including left-winger and left-back. In the match against Manchester United, you conceded a penalty in the final minutes, leading to Manchester City's comeback defeat.

"I won't lie—personally, I think that was probably the toughest match. After the game, my mind couldn't stop thinking about it. As a midfielder, when you make a mistake, it never has the same impact as that one did. I made an error that led to a goal and then a loss, and those are the only thoughts in your head, you know?"

"But it wasn't just that. I had come to a position that made me uncomfortable, a situation I wasn't ready for, and I couldn't accept it. My mind kept saying, 'I'm not a full-back, I'm not a full-back.' My head was full of this, and it was too difficult."

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