Mateus Mane is at the center of a bizarre country vs country tussle – after being invited by England and Portugal for their international engagements in October 2024.
Mane has been named in both countries’ Under-18s squads and he is currently in a dilemma regarding which country to represent at this stage of his young career.
Mateus Mane Named In England And Portugal’s Under-18s Squad For Their Upcoming Matches
Young Lions’ U18s manager Liam Bramley revealed his group of players for an upcoming tournament in Marbella, Spain.
England square up against Sweden on Friday, September 12, in the semi-final of the four-team event before locking horns with either Ukraine or Netherlands in either the final or third-place play-off.
Portugal’s Under-18 handler Emilio Peixe also wants Mateus Mane to be available 24 hours earlier on Thursday, September 11, 2024, when the European nation trade tackles with Turkey in a friendly.
Interestingly, Mane has featured at youth levels for England and Portugal and it will be fascinating to see who he opts to represent in the coming days.
Mateus Mane is eligible for both teams having featured for Portugal U17s last season before making his England debut against Portugal in September 2024 ahead of matches against Switzerland and France.
Mane is under no obligation to only feature for one country at youth levels and U18s is a non-UEFA age group, hence the reason both nations are battling to secure his allegiance.
Wolverhampton Wanderers and England confirmed he would feature for the Young Lions in Marbella, Spain, next week, but it remains to be seen if that stance will be altered.
Who Is Mateus Mane?
Mane was born on September 16, 2007, in Barreiro – just outside Lisbon, and there is currently no information available regarding his parents.
Mateus Mane’s Young Football Career
Mane spent time in the academy of FC Barreirense, before exiting the side to join the youth set-up of English side Rochdale on a free transfer in 2016.
Mateus Mane signed for the youth team of Wolves on March 20, 2024, before moving to the club’s Under-18s in July 2024.
He has started the 2024/25 Premier League 2 season impressively, scoring two goals and providing two assists from his three appearances thus far.
The teenager has also previously had a trial at Southampton, where he went on to feature in one match for their Under-18s.
Mateus Mane’s Position?
Mane functions primarily as a center-forward, but he can also be deployed as a right-winger.
Mateus Mane’s brilliance has impressed Portugal and England; little wonder why they are battling to secure the attacker’s services.
The 17-year-old is aware he doesn’t need to commit to one national team permanently just yet due to FIFA rules which gives players room to represent multiple countries until they have earned a senior competitive cap.
Football enthusiasts are closely monitoring Mane’s career, and it will be fascinating to see if he will fulfill his potential.
If he performs extremely well with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Under 18s side, Mane could receive an opportunity to feature for the senior team in the not-too-distant future.
