Matheus Cunha's hero was Lukas Podolski, who famously turned down Manchester United to sign for Arsenal.
Podolski, who hung up his boots last year, made the switch to the Gunners in a deal worth £11million back in 2012, despite strong interest from Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils. It was suggested at the time that the German football icon chose Arsenal because then-manager Arsene Wenger was fluent in German.
Podolski went on to lift the FA Cup with the Gunners, although he missed out on the Premier League title in 2012/13 with United. Despite rumours of interest from Arsenal, Cunha recently decided against following in his idol's footsteps by agreeing a transfer from Wolves to United.
The Brazilian had a £62.5m release clause in his contract at Molineux, which United triggered to bring him to Old Trafford.
Back in 2019, when asked to name his favourite players, the German was name-checked by the new United forward. The Brazilian said: "Ronaldinho is undoubtedly a great idol. It's hard to talk about him because he's my friend. He's definitely an amazing person who treated me very well. I wish him all the best and he deserves it."
He then raised eyebrows when he added: "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.
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)
"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."
Cunha's admiration for Podolski isn't all that surprising considering his familiarity with the Bundesliga during his time with RB Leipzig and Hertha Berlin. Cunha clocked up three seasons in Germany’s top-flight from 2018 to 2021.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers acknowledges the fans after his last game for the club, following the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Brentford FC at Molineux on May 25, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)
Cunha was linked with many teams this summer (Image: Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)
After leaving Hertha Berlin, he made the move to Atletico Madrid in 2021 and racked up 54 appearances for the La Liga club. Cunha initially arrived at Wolves on loan during the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, which then became a permanent transfer in the summer of 2023.
At Wolves, Cunha has been prolific, netting 33 times in 92 matches, including a remarkable tally of 17 goals and six assists this season. He will bolster a United team that only mustered 44 goals in the Premier League.
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