Mamelodi Sundowns’ Brazilian star Lucas Ribeiro Costa is living up to the hype and is standing clear above the rest of his competitors in the PSL this season, writes DYLAN JOHNSON.
The 26-year-old has surpassed his goal contributions tally from last season in the PSL and is already a worthy winner of the 2024-25 Player of the Season award.
Since arriving from Belgian second-division side SK Bereven, Ribeiro instantly became a Sundowns star, scoring 16 goals and providing nine assists in the 2023-24 campaign.
In 2024-25, Ribeiro has taken his performances to the next level with 24 goal contributions in 31 appearances in all competitions, helping Sundowns to a 15-point lead in the PSL and the CAF Champions League quarter-finals where they will take on four-time CAF Champions League winners and 33-time Tunisian league champions Espérance Sportive de Tunis.
READ: Mo Salah, AFCON, and Ballon d’Or bias
Ribeiro is the complete package. His ability to drop deep, collect the ball, drive into the opposition’s half, and create an opportunity for himself, or use his vision and finesse to find his teammates in space, is amongst the best in the league.
Add to that his prolific quality in front of goal, and we are looking at the PSL’s most valuable player. Labelled as a maestro by supporters and peers, Ribeiro’s technical skills and playmaking ability are extraordinary.
Since the arrival of Iqraam Rayners from Stellenbosch FC in August 2024, their partnership has blossomed into one of the most feared attacking duos on the continent, with Ribeiro and Rayners battling it out amongst themselves for the PSL golden boot.
Sekhukhune’s Andy Boyeli, Chippa United’s Sinoxolo Kwayiba and TS Galaxy’s Dzenan Zajmovic are all tied in third spot, but unless there’s a massive dip in the form of the Sundowns stars, all three are unlikely to catch up before the end of the season.
Ribeiro’s form this season has seen South African fans dream of a Bafana Bafana call up, with the striker yet to earn a cap for the Brazilian national team. At this stage, Ribeiro remains ineligible for a call up to Hugo Broos’ squad as he will not qualify for South African citizenship until he has completed his five-year residency.
The prospect of Ribeiro at AFCON 2025 alongside his Sundowns teammates and South Africa’s best would be huge for Bafana’s chances of success at the tournament in Morocco later this year.
With his unmatched consistency and game-changing ability, Lucas Ribeiro Costa has proven himself time and again. His impact on Mamelodi Sundowns and the PSL as a whole cements his status as the best player in South African football right now.
Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images