Matheus Cunha was recently unveiled as a player for Manchester United, but the Brazilian has interestingly done the complete opposite to his footballing idol
Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers is interviewed by Wolves TV following victory in the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Manchester United FC at Molineux on December 26, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England.
Matheus Cunha's footballing idol moved to Arsenal(Image: Getty)
Matheus Cunha's idol may be Lukas Podolski, but the new Manchester United winger was not going to follow in the ex-Arsenal forward's footsteps.
Cunha, 26, resisted transfer interest from the Gunners to choose a move to Old Trafford instead. His decision was a fascinating one, as Podolski did the complete opposite, snubbing United to join the north Londoners all the way back in 2012.
The German, who hung up his boots last year, made the switch to the Gunners in 2012 for £11 million, despite interest from Sir Alex Ferguson's side. It was believed that Podolski's choice was influenced by then-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's proficiency in German.
Although he secured an FA Cup victory, Podolski missed out on a Premier League title that season, as United finished top in Ferguson's final campaign. In contrast to his idol, Cunha recently completed a transfer from Wolves to United, bypassing any potential move to Arsenal.
United triggered the £62.5m release clause in Cunha's contract at Molineux, securing his services at Old Trafford. This acquisition is a significant boost for United supporters as Amorim begins a summer overhaul, addressing a clear need for quality in the squad.
Fans will be particularly relieved that Cunha did not snub them for Arsenal. Cunha, when asked about his footballing inspirations in 2019, started with a Brazilian legend.
He said: "Ronaldinho is undoubtedly a great idol. It's hard to talk about him because he's my friend.
Lukas Podolski of Arsenal celebrates with the FA Cup following victory in the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England
Podolski won the FA Cup with Arsenal(Image: Laurence Griffiths - The FA)
"He's definitely an amazing person who treated me very well. I wish him all the best and he deserves it."
He continued by mentioning the ex-Bayern Munich and Cologne forward, saying: "In terms of players from the Bundesliga, I like Podolski very much. He destroyed the Brazil national team when he went there and became world champion and I cried a lot at that time.
"But he seems to have a lot of affection from Brazilians even to this day. He's always playing around and joking with Flamengo. I believe Podolski is a German player who has a great personality on and off the pitch."
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers looks on during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Brentford FC at Molineux on May 25, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
Cunha rejected Arsenal to join United
Cunha's admiration for Podolski isn't surprising given his own experience in the Bundesliga with stints at RB Leipzig and Hertha Berlin. Cunha enjoyed three seasons in the Bundesliga from 2018 to 2021.
He bid farewell to Hertha Berlin for Atletico Madrid in 2021, where he chalked up 54 appearances. The striker secured a move to Wolves on a loan deal during the 2022/23 season, which turned into a permanent transfer by summer 2023.
He impressively notched up 33 goals in 92 outings for the Premier League club, including 17 strikes and six assists in the current campaign. United will be hoping he brings his lethal touch to Old Trafford, after the Red Devils only scored 44 Premier League goals this season.