Matheus Cunha: A Moment of Brilliance Overshadowed by a Loss of Composure

We have seen more outbursts and overreactions this weekend in FA Cup matches with Matheus Cunha and Anthony Gordon.  If you haven’t had the opportunity to read our newsletter on Keeping Composure - Read it here. This is a follow-up to that article. You can also find both incidents on YouTube or X by searching the player's name along with "red card."

Let’s focus on Matheus Cunha because this is one of the most severe overreactions seen in a while. It’s extremely baffling for several reasons. Let’s start with Cunha receiving a straight red card in the final minutes of extra time with the game tied 1-1 against Bournemouth. Prior to the red card, Cunha had been playing exceptionally well, scoring a stunning goal from 30 yards out into the top corner in the 60th minute to equalize the score. His performance was instrumental in Wolverhampton's attack, consistently creating goal-scoring opportunities.

The incident unfolded when Cunha was called offside, and opposition player Milos Kerkez grabbed his jersey in an attempt to gain possession of the ball. Cunha reacted aggressively, first swinging an open-handed punch at Kerkez’s head, then pushing him to the ground before kicking him while he was down. As Kerkez got back up, Cunha head-butted him before being restrained by Tyler Adams. Even after being shown the red card, he refused to leave the field immediately and had to be held back by coaches and teammates.

What makes this behavior even more surprising is Cunha’s well-documented kindness off the pitch. He has been widely praised on social media for his heartfelt engagement with a young fan. He went out of his way to visit the child’s home, bringing jerseys, a soccer ball, and signing memorabilia. To top it all off, he promised the young fan a goal celebration, which he later delivered. This was a beautiful, life-changing moment for the young fan and his family—a genuine act of kindness that underscores Cunha’s caring nature. This wasn’t just a media stunt; it was a heartfelt gesture that reflected the club’s commitment to the community.

Cunha was also the subject of strong transfer rumors linking him to top clubs, with Manchester United reportedly willing to double his wages to $60,000 per week. Liverpool and Arsenal, both currently at the top of the English Premier League, were also monitoring him. However, after this incident, such opportunities may have diminished significantly. If I were a sporting director at one of these clubs, despite Cunha’s immense talent, I would see him as too great a risk. No player is worth jeopardizing a club’s reputation with this kind of behavior.

This isn’t the first time Cunha has displayed poor judgment on the field. In December 2024, during a match against Ipswich, he was involved in another incident of violent conduct when he ripped an opposition coach’s glasses off. Shockingly, he escaped suspension for that action. One would have thought he would have learned from that mistake and realized the importance of keeping his composure.

As a result of this latest outburst, Cunha is now suspended and will miss crucial upcoming fixtures—Everton, Southampton, West Ham, and Ipswich—all winnable games for Wolverhampton. His absence will undoubtedly weaken the team, which heavily relies on his attacking presence. Beyond the immediate consequences of the red card and suspension, this outburst may also cost him future career opportunities. While clubs may still express interest, they may hesitate to take the risk, and Wolverhampton could be forced to accept a lower transfer fee due to their weakened bargaining position.

When considering everything, was it worth it? Probably not. Just another incident for you to put in perspective.