Matheus Cunha practices Christianity, specifically Catholicism. The Brazilian forward expresses gratitude to God for major milestones in his life through his social media posts, and he has a cross permanently tattooed on his neck. When asked about his rituals before matches, Cunha revealed that whenever he steps onto the pitch, he touches the grass and makes the sign of the cross.
Quick Profile: Matheus Cunha
| Full Name | Matheus Santos Carneiro da Cunha |
| Date of Birth | May 27, 1999 (26 years old) |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Religion | Catholic Christian |
What Religion is Matheus Cunha?
Matheus Cunha identifies as a practicing Catholic Christian. His religious beliefs are deeply rooted in his Brazilian upbringing, where Christianity, particularly Catholicism, is the predominant faith. While he does not frequently make public declarations about his faith, his social media presence reveals consistent expressions of gratitude toward God during significant moments in his career.
The presence of a cross tattooed on his neck serves as a permanent symbol of his Christian faith. This visible mark of devotion demonstrates how important his beliefs are to his identity both as a person and as a professional athlete.
The Manchester United forward has shared that he follows a specific pre-match ritual reflecting his Catholic faith where he touches the grass upon entering the field and makes the sign of the cross. This ritual helps him connect spiritually before competing at the highest level of football.
Growing up in Brazil, a country where approximately 65% of the population identifies as Catholic, Cunha was naturally exposed to Christian traditions from an early age.
Early Life
Matheus Santos Carneiro da Cunha was born on May 27, 1999, in João Pessoa, the capital city of Paraíba state in northeastern Brazil. He was raised by his parents Carmelo Cunha and Luziana Cunha, alongside his younger sister Mariah. The Cunha family belonged to the middle class and ensured their children received quality education alongside their sporting pursuits.
Before transitioning to traditional football, young Matheus originally played futsal for a club in Recife. He developed a deep love for futsal during his childhood, and it’s the sport he claims to love the most, even more than regular football. This early futsal experience helped him develop the exceptional technical skills, quick thinking, and close ball control that would later define his playing style.
His football journey actually began at Cabo Branco, a local club where his father had also played. He later moved to CT Barão, a Recife-based club, before joining Coritiba’s youth system at age 14. According to Cunha, a businessman recognized his potential and facilitated his move to Coritiba along with his father’s support.
The young Brazilian grew up idolizing legends like Ronaldinho and Lukas Podolski. His parents Luiz (also called Carmelo) and Luziana made significant sacrifices to support his dreams, including relocating to accommodate his training and development.
Career Highlights
Early Professional Career
At age 18, Cunha moved to Europe to join Swiss club Sion in July 2017. During his single season there, he made an impressive start to his senior career, scoring 10 goals and providing 8 assists in 29 league appearances.
German Bundesliga Success
On June 24, 2018, Cunha joined RB Leipzig on a five-year deal. He scored his first Bundesliga goal against Hertha BSC in a 3-0 victory in November 2018. In April 2019, he scored a spectacular goal against Bayer Leverkusen that won the Bundesliga Goal of the Month award and earned him a nomination for the FIFA Puskás Award.
After limited playing time at Leipzig, Cunha transferred to fellow Bundesliga side Hertha BSC on January 31, 2020. His performances in Germany caught the attention of bigger clubs across Europe.
Atlético Madrid Move
On August 25, 2021, Cunha joined Spanish giants Atlético Madrid on a five-year contract for an estimated fee of €30 million. He scored his debut goal for Atlético against Levante to secure a 2-2 draw. However, his time in Spain proved challenging as he struggled to secure consistent playing time under Diego Simeone’s system.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Breakthrough
On January 1, 2023, Cunha joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. His first appearance came as a substitute in a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on January 4, 2023. The loan move became permanent in the summer of 2023 after certain clauses were met.
On February 4, 2024, Cunha scored his first hat-trick for Wolves in a memorable 4-2 victory at Chelsea, becoming just the second Wolves player after Diogo Jota to score a Premier League hat-trick and only the fourth opposition player to achieve this feat at Stamford Bridge.
During the 2024-25 season, Cunha finished as Wolves’ top scorer with 15 league goals, marking a personal best. His outstanding performances attracted interest from several top clubs.
Manchester United Transfer
On June 1, 2025, Manchester United announced an agreement with Wolves for Cunha’s transfer, completing the deal on June 12, 2025, for a reported fee of £62.5 million. He made his debut for the Red Devils on August 17, 2025, in a 1-0 loss against Arsenal.
Awards and Honors
Club Level
- Bundesliga Goal of the Month (April 2019)
- FIFA Puskás Award Nominee (2019)
International Level
- Olympic Gold Medal with Brazil (2020 Tokyo Olympics)
- Toulon Tournament Winner (2019)
- Toulon Tournament Top Scorer (2019)
- CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament Top Scorer (2020)
Individual Achievements
- Brazil Under-23 Record Goal Scorer (21 goals in 24 games)
- Wolves Top Scorer 2024-25 Season (15 league goals)
- First Wolves hat-trick at Stamford Bridge since 1998
Career Earnings and Market Value
Matheus Cunha signed a five-year contract worth $46.8 million with Manchester United, earning an average annual salary of $9.36 million. His current salary at Manchester United is £150,000 per week (£7.8 million annually) plus performance bonuses of up to £2.6 million per year.
Cunha’s previous salary at Wolverhampton Wanderers was around £120,000 per week. His earnings have increased significantly throughout his career, reflecting his development as one of the Premier League’s most talented attacking players.
The total financial commitment from Manchester United, including transfer fee and wages over five years, is estimated at approximately £123.5 million. His market value has risen substantially, with transfer market experts valuing him between £55 million and £70 million.
Personal Life
Matheus Cunha is in a relationship with Gabriela Duarte (also known as Gabriela Nogueira da Cunha), and they have a son named Levi. Gabriela is a lawyer who has been supportive of his career, moving countries with him as he pursues his football dreams. The couple met in Rio de Janeiro around 2018 and had their son Levi in 2020 during Cunha’s time at Hertha Berlin.
In January 2025, Cunha and Nogueira announced they were expecting their second child. The Brazilian forward frequently shares family moments on social media, showing his dedication to both his professional career and family life.
Controversies
On December 14, 2024, during a match against Ipswich Town, Cunha appeared to elbow an employee of the visiting club in the back of the head and pulled the man’s glasses from his face. He was charged with misconduct by the Football Association and received a two-game ban along with an £80,000 fine on December 31, 2024.
This incident highlighted the competitive intensity that sometimes gets the better of players, though Cunha has generally maintained a professional reputation throughout his career.
