Lucas Ribeiro Costa has been one of the key players at Mamelodi Sundowns since joining the team in the 2023/24 campaign.
In the 49 games played across all competitions, the 26-year-old has scored 23 goals and managed 13 assists. He has won a Premier Soccer League title as well as the African Football League crowns.
The South American joined Masandawana from Belgian outfit SK Beveren and has since explained what prompted him to join the South African champions.
What made Ribeiro join Sundowns?
“Coming to Sundowns… for sure, it’s a big club, a great club that most footballers would want to play for. But for me when I was offered a contract it was more about the ambition the club has,” he told iDiski Times.
“The ambition to win all the cups, the titles. And for me, it was an opportunity to be in a space I haven’t been before, where you fight to win every game and every title.
“It’s the ambition of the club and thanks to God I achieved some trophies, it was my first and winning it for the club, it shows the ambition of the club is something they are sticking to and something I want to continue to help achieve,” the versatile attacker stated.
Did Ribeiro know about Sundowns?
“Well it’s fair to say I didn’t know much about South African football or South Africa that much, the history of the club and knowledge of South Africa was limited but when the offer came, I started having time to research more to understand more even before signing the contract to join Sundowns,” he continued.
“The decision to come here has been one of my best because upon arriving everything has gone well with me, and the culture, I am loving every perspective and aspect of the club and people around the team, my teammates, and everyone!
“It’s helped me for sure to play in a marvelous team like Sundowns where everything is about winning. It’s a good thing for me because I’ve enjoyed a fantastic first season and now in this second season I am doing well,” Ribeiro added.
“Okay things get better with time as I adapt and at the end of this season there’s a big club, I’m going to be in the FIFA Club World Cup, it’s another perspective that adds to the chapter to be part of the club, which helps.”
After missing out on MTN8 and Nedbank Cup trophies last season, Ribeiro hopes to win the Carling Knockout with Masandawana on Saturday when they play Magesi in the final.
