Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Lucas Ribeiro Costa has disclosed that a Kaizer Chiefs star who was instrumental in aiding his smooth transition to South African football at the start of the previous season.
The 26-year-old swapped the Belgian pitches of SK Beveren for the South African ones of Sundowns, arriving under the stewardship of former coach Rulani Mokwena.
Making an immediate impact, Ribeiro soon established himself as a key man of the Brazilians' squad. His exceptional performances have led to him being recognized arguably the best player currently in the league.
He has revealed that Chiefs attacking midfielder Gaston Sirino along with Sundowns midfielder Marcelo Allende helped him settle in SA.
HOW SIRINO AND ALLENDE HELPED RIBEIRO IN HIS FIRST SEASON
“Upon arriving, the players who assisted me to adapt were Marcelo Allende, and Gaston Sirino who is no longer with us at the moment,” Ribeiro told iDiski Times.
“But they helped me inside the pitch to understand the dynamics of being a foreign player here and how to adapt to things.
“So they helped me adapt quite fast. But Marcelo was key, he would speak to me about football, and off the pitch.
“However, the previous technical team led by Rulani [Mokwena] helped me to adapt, they played a vital role.”
Meanwhile, Ribeiro says he can’t pinpoint any most difficult opponent he has faced in the league so far.
“When it comes to players, a difficult opponent? It’s difficult to mention any names because probably there are difficult players but I can’t mention them, or I haven’t faced that rival yet at that level where I can mention it’s the most difficult player I faced in PSL,” he added.
