YEP 28/6/21 Who is Matheus Cunha? Hertha Berlin's Brazilian star profiled amid Leeds United links

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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

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