Mateus Mane insists his feet are staying firmly on the ground despite being voted Wolves’ SUD Player of the Month for December after a whirlwind start to his senior career.
The England youth international burst onto the Premier League stage in December by notching his first top flight assist against Arsenal at the Emirates, before starring against Liverpool and Manchester United, as Wolves picked up only their third point of the campaign.
Mane has since carried that form into January, with a goal and assist in the win against West Ham United at Molineux and his second senior goal at Everton to earn his side a draw on the road. Despite the 18-year-old being proud of earning his first Player of the Month award, he understands that the hard work does not stop here.
On winning the fan vote for December
“It feels really good to win Player of the Month, and it feels good to be voted by the fans. It’s my first ever Player of the Month, and to get it for this team, we’ve been working hard this month, but we’ve got to keep going. But it’s been good and it feels good to get it.
“It’s been a hectic month of goals, assists, wins and draws, but we’re working on it and training hard every day to get results, and I think that’s showing now.
“We’re getting there, so hopefully we can keep that up until the end of the season.”
On claiming the first assist of his career
“It felt good when I came on off the bench against Arsenal. They’re probably the team who are going to win the Premier League this season, so to get off the bench and get an assist against Arsenal was an amazing feeling. It was really good to get that for the team.
“And then to score my first goal for in the Prem for Wolves was fantastic for me. I know it was also a really good moment for my family and friends, and everyone who was there supporting me.”
On his relationship with the supporters
“It was great, especially hearing the fans singing my name. The fans there, my family were there as well, so scoring my first goal in front of them was a proud moment and very proud for me.
“The fans give me that extra motivation, 100 per cent. But I’ve got to keep my feet on the ground, keep going as I have been doing, and show the fans that I can do more.
“I’ve just got to play every day, and in every game show what I can do.”
Tolu surprises Mane with our SUDU December Player of the Month 🏆 pic.twitter.com/aYWDX44SKl
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 14, 2026
On remaining grounded
“I’m very determined to improve. Every day in training, when I’m out in the gym, I’ve got to keep working every day. Working on my strength and in training as well, working on how we play, how we train, and take that into the game.
“I’ve just got to keep working hard, but everyone’s keeping me grounded. But I know that myself, I’m still a young kid, I’ve still got a long career ahead of me.
“I’ve got to keep my feet on the ground and keep going the way I have been doing, because I know that everything can change with the click of a finger.”
