YEP 28/6/21 Who is Matheus Cunha? Hertha Berlin's Brazilian star profiled amid Leeds United links
Leeds United have been linked with a move for Hertha Berlin star Matheus Cunha this summer - but who is he?
By Joe Urquhart
Brazilian attacker Matheus Cunha, who like Rodrigo De Paul
has indulged in some social media flirtation with Leeds fans, is currently
classed as 'unlikely' when it comes to Leeds' summer additions the YEP
understands, although as the case of Raphinha proved last summer, situations
can change quickly in the window.
The Hertha BSC man is someone Orta has liked for a while. He
began the 2020/21 Bundesliga season in incredible form, scoring six goals and
making three in his first 10 games, but thereafter scored just one more all
season as his side finished 14th in the 18-team German top flight.
Here, we take a closer look at the Elland Road target:
Name: Matheus Cunha
Age: 22
Position: Forward
Nationality: Brazilian
Previous clubs: FC Sion, RB Leipzig
Current club: Hertha Berlin
Who is Matheus Cunha?
Matheus Cunha began his professional career with Swiss side
FC Sion in 2017.
The Brazlian made the switch from Coritiba's youth ranks to
move to Europe, scoring 10 league goals and recording eight assists in his
first campaign.
Cunha made a swift exit, joining Bundesliga side RB Leipzig
just a season later.
The 22-year-old scored nine goals and three assists in his
two seasons with Leipzig, finding regular game time difficult to come by.
He did, however, bag the 2019 Bundesliga Goal of the Year
award.
In January 2020, Cunha made the move to Hertha Berlin in
search of first team football and has provided a spark for the Olympiastadion
outfit since.
He has scored 12 goals and notched four assists in 38 games
since the transfer to the German capital.
Cunha has represented Brazil at youth levels and helped his
country qualify for this summer's Olympics in Tokyo.
He ended the 2019 youth Toulon Tournament as top scorer for
Brazil and earned a senior call-up last September under head coach Tito.
What's he like as a player?
Cunha has been most compared to international team-mate and
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.
He can play across the front attacking line, while dropping
deep to help recover the ball and create space.
Cunha has stated previously that his first love was futsal
in his homeland which has seen him hone in his ball skills.
What's been said?
"Matheus has something special. He can always produce
something with a moment of individual brilliance." - former Hertha head
coach Bruno Labbadia
"Matheus is a young player with enormous potential, who
has already shown his impressive skills" – former Hertha Berlin sporting
director Michael Preetz
"I believe my biggest aim is to play for the Brazil
national team. I believe the national team environment, especially in the U23s,
is the coolest environment a young footballer can have." – Cunha
