| Matts Kunding | |
| Fullname: | Matthew Kunding |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Years1: | 1909–1910 |
| Caps1: | 13 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 1910–1911 |
| Caps2: | 6 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
Matts Kunding was an association footballer who played in Italy in the early part of the 20th century. A midfielder, Kunding was reputedly one of the first Irish professional footballers to play outside of the UK or Ireland.[1] In some records, he is documented as having played with Torino and Juventus.[2]
Writing in the sports news website The42 in 2023, sports journalist Gavin Cooney queried whether the lack of documentation or records relating to Kunding suggests that "he was simply invented".[1]
Records indicate that Kunding played his entire brief career in Turin in Italy.[1] He signed for Torino in 1909, making his debut in the Turin Derby against Juventus, winning the game 3-1 at the Velodrome Humbert I. He played in Torino's midfield alongside Englishman . That season, Torino finished fourth in the Serie A.[3]
The next season, he moved to Torino's rivals Juventus and played with the club for the 1910-1911 season. He made his debut in a 1-1 draw against Piedmont Football Club on 27 November 1910.[4] After playing in a 2-0 win over Andrea Doria, Kunding was later dropped after a poor showing in a 0-2 home defeat to AC Milan. His last game for Juventus came in a 3-0 defeat to Genoa on 19 March 1911, with the team finishing in last place in the Serie A. In all, Kunding reputedly had 6 appearances (and no goals) with Juventus.[5]