Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams has likened the club’s January transfer window signing Brayan Leon to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, pointing out their key similarities in front of goal.
Brayan Leon has taken the Betway Premiership by storm after arriving at Sundowns as a high-profile signing ahead of the second round of the 2025/26 season. The Colombian forward hit the ground running at Masandawana, quickly proving his quality in front of goal.
The talented striker joined the Brazilians alongside fellow stars such as former Orlando Pirates winger Monnapule Saleng and defender Khulumani Ndamane, who signed from TS Galaxy.
In less than six months at Chloorkop, Leon has established himself as a key figure under head coach Miguel Cardoso. The 25-year-old has made 24 appearances across all competitions, scoring 15 goals and chipping in with two assists.
Leon has been instrumental in Sundowns’ pursuit of a second CAF Champions League title. He helped lead the club to the final, where they are set to face Moroccan giants AS FAR over two legs.
WHAT ADAMS SAID ABOUT BRAYAN LEON
The goal-poacher has featured in eight Champions League matches and scored five goals. This includes two decisive strikes in the semi-final against Esperance de Tunis, which secured the Brazilians’ spot in the final.
Leon now aims to help Sundowns lift the continental trophy as they host AS FAR in the first leg this Sunday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, with the return leg scheduled for the following weekend.
As Leon continues to make waves in South African football, he has received glowing praise from his Sundowns teammate Jayden Adams, who revealed that the attacker’s fighting spirit in front of goal is similar to that of the retired Manchester United and Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Swedish forward is one of the best strikers to play in the European top league after scoring over 400 career goals with various clubs in Europe.
“You know Brayan is a fighter; he’s like Ibrahimovic. He fights for every ball,” Adams said at Chloorkop on Thursday. “He will make a bad pass to look like a good one, and the quality he has inside the box is just incredible to our team.
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