Mane | ‘I’ll show everyone that I can do great things’

Mateus Mane is determined to ‘become a better player every day’ after progressing into Vitor Pereira’s first-team and signing his inaugural professional contract with Wolves this summer.

The exciting young forward made his Premier League debut against Brighton & Hove Albion at Molineux during the latter part of the 2024/25 season having impressed the head coach and the senior players in training, and now he’s put pen to paper on his first Old Gold contract, the 17-year-old is aiming to do everything possible to show why the club have put their faith in him.

On signing his first contract

“It’s an amazing feeling for me, my family, my friends – everyone. I’ve been working the whole time for this and now it’s happened, I’m really proud of myself and I’m really happy.

“A lot of work has gone into getting to this stage, because I came from a non-league club and to get a professional contract at a Premier League club, it’s a dream come true.

“But now it’s happened, I’ve just got to keep working and keep working to try and get that next contract and become a better player every day.”

#Summer2025

On progressing in Old Gold

“A lot has happened in such a short period of time here. Since I came to Wolves, everything’s happened so quick that, to be honest, sometimes when I look back, I’m like, ‘Wow, is this really happening?’

“To make my Wolves debut, now I’ve got a professional contract, it’s all happening and it’s good times, but it’s been at some pace as well.

“I think I’ve adapted well. I come in every day and just keep working, keep going, and I think I’ve been doing good. But I’ve just got to keep pushing and keep trying to work hard every day to get better.”

On his Premier League debut

“At first it was a nervous feeling, but I always say that when I go onto a pitch and I get my first header, my first pass, I get my confidence up and I’ve done that.

“I got the first header and after that, I felt normal. It felt like I’ve played there before. I was so happy and hopefully my family enjoyed it and my friends enjoyed it.”

On learning from Pereira and the senior players

“I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned how it’s like to be around them, to be playing at a Premier League club in front of all the fans. It can be a little bit nervous, but you do get used to it.

“It gives me a lot of confidence for a manager to have trust in me and see my hard work and my ability. Now, I’ve just got to show him what I can really do on the pitch. It’s now pre-season and this is the time when I work as hard as I can to show him what I can do.”

On proving his ability in pre-season

“We’ve got loads of games during this pre-season, plenty of training sessions in Portugal and Spain, so I’ve got to go and do what I know I can do – score goals, get assists, create chances and play the way I know I can. I’m just going to show them all that.

“I’m taking it step-by-step, see what’s happening, but hopefully I can get more appearances in the Premier League, and if not, I’ll just be patient, wait for my turn and if my turn does come, I’ll show everyone that I can do great things.”