Mateus Mane was pleased to finish Molineux’s 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a goal, although he’s determined to do even more next season to help fire the team back into the top flight.
The academy graduate has experienced a breakout year in gold and black, and scored midway through the first-half to put Wolves ahead in the final home game of the season as Fulham were the visitors to Molineux, although the forward also conceded a penalty just before the break to allow the Cottagers to pull one back.
But with the drop into the Championship already confirmed ahead of a visit to fellow relegation rivals Burnley next Sunday, Mane wants to do everything possible to not finish the season bottom of the table.
On scoring in the final home game of the season
“I was happy [with the goal], but it’s the last home game of the season, and although it wasn’t the year we wanted it to be, we had to perform for the fans. We tried our best, but unfortunately, we weren’t able to get the result.
“I’m really happy with my performance. I feel we were unlucky not to get a win. We worked hard and I feel we should have got a win, so we’re a bit disappointed.
“I feel like we had loads of chances, they had loads of chances too, but as a team we just didn’t put them away, but that was the same for both teams. But it was nice to get a 1-1 draw, even though we wanted the win, but it’s nice not to get a loss.”
18-year-old Mateus Mané fires Wolves ahead against Fulham! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/RQumjkO8TZ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 17, 2026
On settling for a draw against Fulham
“I think performed well and I think the first half was more aggressive than the second half, where we started off a bit sloppy, but then we built into the game. We should have finished our chances, but we've got to keep moving now.
“The manager told us to be brave, make our forward runs, and I feel like we did that today. But we’ve got to keep fighting now to the end, with just one game to go.
“It was definitely good, a last home game, in front of the home fans, and we wanted to try to give them a show, and I feel like we tried our best to do that with the one goal that we scored, but unfortunately, with the one goal we conceded, I feel like we gave them what they wanted.”
On his third goal of the season
“I just thought about smashing it in the net, I did it, and it went in, so it worked out well.
“It was an amazing feeling and as soon as it left my foot, I thought, ‘Yeah, that’s going to hit the back of the net’, so I went away and celebrated with the fans, and my family was there, so I’m happy, happy for them as well to get the goal for them.
“It was definitely nice to score in front of my family. Before the game, I told them that I was going to score for you today, and thankfully it came out, and it happened, so I’m really happy with that.”
On his breakout campaign
“For me, I feel like it’s been a fantastic season. It’s obviously not been the year we wanted it to be as a team, being relegated, but for my own season, I feel like I’ve been great. It’s my first breakout season and I’ve enjoyed every moment. But I know I’ve got to keep going now and see what happens in the future.
“It’s good to hear people saying nice things and I like to hear it, but I’ve got to keep fighting, try not to listen too much and focus on my game.
“I’ve always believed in myself. thought this season I was going to get more game time, and it’s worked out for me. I’ve got a few goals, got a few assists, but now it’s time to keep working, keep moving, keep fighting, and next season, we’ve got to work hard to try and get the club back to where we want it to be, in the Premier League.”
On ending the season away to Burnley
“It’s definitely important for us to finish the season next week with a win. We’re going to work hard, give it all our best to try get above Burnley.
“But we’ve just got to keep fighting. There’s just one more game to go, and we’ve got to try and give the away fans a show and give them what they want. They’re going to travel a long way to support us, so we’ve got to give it back for them.”
