Mateus Mane caught in England-Portugal tug of war
Wolverhampton Wanderers teenager Mateus Mane has become the subject of an international tug of war, with both Portugal and England vying for the 18-year-old forward’s allegiance, reports BritPanorama.
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has taken a proactive approach in pursuing the young talent following his impressive performances in the Premier League this season. The former Everton and Wigan manager has a personal connection to Molineux, having played alongside Wolves technical director Matt Jackson at Wigan Athletic. This relationship has reportedly helped Portugal convince the promising attacker to represent his birth nation at the international level.
Mane was born in Barreiro, Portugal, but moved to England when he was just eight years old, spending most of his formative years there. The forward has already represented the Three Lions at the youth level, earning seven caps for the England Under-18 side since making his debut in 2024. However, Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca, who took up his position last year, is also a keen admirer of the youngster. Proenca is eager to persuade Mane to commit his international future to Portugal, adding further pressure to the teenager’s decision.
Portugal’s plan involves potentially calling Mane up to their Under-21 squad initially, while also offering him the opportunity to train alongside the senior team. Martinez is keen to accelerate the forward’s progression into his first-team setup following the conclusion of the World Cup. England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley is equally interested in the teenager and appears willing to promote him up the international ranks. Despite attention from both nations, sources indicate that Mane has yet to make a decision about his international future.
The Wolves youngster is currently prioritising his performances at club level rather than committing to either country. Mane has emerged as one of the few positives during an otherwise dismal campaign for Wolves, who sit rock bottom of the Premier League and appear destined for relegation. The teenager has netted twice and provided two assists across 18 top-flight appearances this term, earning the distinction of becoming the club’s youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer. Since his full debut at Anfield in December, the forward has started every one of Wolves’ subsequent 11 league fixtures.
The Midlands club currently trails safety by 17 points with just 10 matches remaining, having managed only a single victory all season. The rising star will be keen to decide on his future soon as the upcoming World Cup in North America starts in June. The Three Lions were drawn into group L alongside Croatia, Panama and Ghana. Portugal has been drawn into Group K alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the winner of the Inter-confederation Play-off Path 1. Each of the 48 participating nations must submit a provisional squad of 35 to 55 players before May 11.
As Mane navigates this pivotal juncture in his career, the expectation around him serves as a reminder of the thin line between club loyalty and national pride. For a talent like his, it’s a delicate balancing act beneath the glare of international scrutiny.
