Wolverhampton Wanderers player keeps promise to boy with cancer

The family of a little boy who is being treated for cancer have said a footballer’s dedicated goal celebration has been a dream come true for the young fan.

Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha promised five-year-old Junior he would gesture a ‘J’ if he scored against Bournemouth at last weekend’s match, after he surprised him beforehand with a signed shirt at his home in Wolverhampton.

The primary school boy is having chemotherapy for Medulloblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Junior’s grandfather, Armando, said the whole experience was like a gift: “He told Junior he would do the celebration if he scored, so when he saw it during the game it was a fantastic surprise.”

He continued: “He is a humble guy and was really nice to the whole family.”

Junior’s mum, Chloe, said having Cunha visit the home had been an amazing experience.

“We were all in shock, I still am if I’m being honest. My boy loved having him round and kicking the ball together,” she said.

“He now has this lovely memory that will stick with him forever.”

Chloe said she was immensely proud at the strength her little boy was demonstrating, despite loosing all his hair and being in hospital for treatment.

She said: “He is just amazing with it all, and it doesn’t bother him that he went from having a head full of hair to losing it all.

“We didn’t want Junior to just remember hospitals and this has given him a nice, different memory.”