Matheus Cunha suffered backlash from Wolves fans after declaring in an interview that he wants to leave the club just two months after signing a new contract amid links of a move to Arsenal
Matheus Cunha was forced into an embarrassing climbdown after the backlash that followed comments on international duty about taking ‘the next step’ in his career. Wolves’ skipper - who is currently in the middle of a four-game suspension following a dismissal at Bournemouth in the FA Cup - gave an interview when with Brazil.
He was quoted as saying: “We are close to achieving our goal (of staying up). But I have made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles for big things. I have potential.” This enraged Wolves’ support, and it didn’t go down too well at the Black Country club, which only handed him a pay rise and a new deal lasting until 2029 a couple of months ago.
Cunha has been dismissed twice this season - on both occasions the striker was fortunate to escape greater censure. Once when he whipped the glasses from a member of Ipswich’s security staff and the second time for his actions at the Vitality Stadium.
However, he used his social media account to clarify the situation for Wolves’ fans ahead of the Hammers’ visit. He said: “I’ve come to talk about the noise about my name. I don’t think people have the correct interpretation.
“The point was about Wolves, to show everyone how happy I am to play here, to play for this team and these team-mates, and to give back all the love they give to me. Like ambitious players, we want to play for something more. To put this club to another level and me and my team-mates will give our all to achieve this goal. I want to say ‘thank you’ for the support.”
His climbdown came after telling The Guardian: "I had a lot of offers (to leave in January) but I wouldn't feel well if I had done it. Some things you can't control but I couldn’t leave the club in the middle of the season, in a difficult situation, in the relegation zone."
One of the offers which he received in January reportedly came from Arsenal. The Gunners have also just appointed Andrea Berta, the sporting director who signed Cunha for Atletico Madrid in 2021.
The 25-year-old then joined Wolves on loan the following season and the Premier League club triggered their £44million option to buy him in the summer of 2023. Cunha said after signing his new contract - which is said to include a £62.5m release clause - in January: "Of course, there was a lot of noise around what Matheus would do.
"I used my heart to make this decision, more than anything. It was my passion. I love being here. I feel so good here, with the love the fans give to me and my family. I always go to the pitch and try to give back. Everyone wants something more for their career, but I feel this is the moment to keep fighting and show everyone what we have."