Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa has submitted his resignation to Mamelodi Sundowns and referred the matter to the FIFA Football Tribunal, seeking to terminate his contract.
Ribeiro attracted a lot of interest following his exceptional performances at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The Brazilian player received widespread praise for scoring the tournament’s best goal, a feat that boosted his profile on the international stage.
After leaving Sundowns’ pre-season camp abruptly, Ribeiro has since submitted the matter to the FIFA Football Tribunal, requesting a ruling on the implications of the contract termination. He insists that he acted within his rights.
“I believe that I have just cause to terminate my contract with Mamelodi Sundowns FC, which I will explain before the FIFA Football Tribunal,” Ribeiro said in a statement.
The player remains optimistic that recent judicial precedents, particularly the landmark Lassana Diarra case decided by the Court of Justice of the European Union [CJEU], will bolster his position and enable him to pursue his career without hindrance.
“My next employer will not be involved in the dispute between me and Mamelodi Sundowns FC — neither from a disciplinary perspective nor financially,” he wrote.
RIBEIRO FEELS SUNDOWNS ARE IMPEDING HIS CAREER AMBITIONS
Although the club attempted to retain him by rejecting what he considered a fair transfer bid from Qatar SC, an offer he believed was above his market value on Transfermarkt, Ribeiro felt that Sundowns’ actions impeded his career ambitions.
“The deal became impossible due to their unreasonable expectations,” he said. “They inflated the transfer price in a way that disregarded my career and personal situation.”
Ribeiro, represented by renowned sports lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont of the Barcelona Bar, now plans to protect his interests through legal channels that include the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The 26-year-old is considering offers from several clubs, particularly within the European Union, where he hopes to secure a fresh start and continued growth in his career.
“I’m focused on making decisions that further my development as a footballer while ensuring long-term stability for my family,” he concluded.
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