Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso clarified the reasons behind the signing of Nuno Santos, revealing that the European star is not Lucas Ribeiro Costa’s replacement.
Ribeiro was the most-talked-about player in the past transfer window after forcing a move away from the club as they were preparing for the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.
The highly-rated attacker left Masandawana at the back of an impressive showing in the previous campaign. Ribeiro amassed 51 appearances across all competitions for Sundowns, scored 21 goals, and registered 14 assists. After his great form, the left-footed star won the PSL Footballer of the Season, Player’s Player of the Season, Betway Premiership Goal of the Season, and Golden Boot in the 2025 PSL awards.
The Brazilian international also stole the show at the FIFA Club World Cup a few months ago, scoring against big guns, Borussia Dortmund. His sublime goal against the Bundesliga giants was subsequently named the best goal of the tournament. As a result, Ribeiro attracted interest from several clubs, including Qatar SC, which tabled a lucrative offer to secure his signature; however, the offer was turned down.
Ribeiro took his matter to FIFA and eventually acquired an international transfer certificate (ITC), clearing him to join Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa in the Spanish second division.
In the past transfer window, Sundowns went on to sign Portuguese star Nuno Santos, who took over the number 10 jersey at the club, which sparked a widespread belief that he’s a replacement for the departed Ribeiro, who wore the iconic jersey number.
CARDOSO LIKENS LOSING RIBEIRO TO THE DEATH OF A FAMILY MEMBER
Miguel Cardoso says they have long closed the Ribeiro chapter, and they don’t look at Nuno Santos as an outright replacement for the 26-year-old.
“The chapter of Ribeiro Costa has been closed a long time ago for us coaches and the players. So since he left, the day after we were looking in the future,” Cardoso said.
“Regarding his absence on the pitch and the adaptation the team needs is another thing. Like in the family, when someone dies, nothing stays the same.
“So Nuno Santos is not a player to substitute Ribeiro, he’s not replacing Ribeiro, the coaches, the board, and the sports direction aren’t looking for a player to replace Ribeiro. But we look for players to help the team.
“We looked at the team and realised that we don’t have more players like Lucas, and there are other players who have left. In the end, I think we did a good profiling and we brought players that are going to help us. I’m pretty happy as a coach to have the market that we had.”
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