With South Africa having long been an attractive destination for South American footballers, here's a look at some stars from that region who didn’t last long in the PSL.
The South African top-flight continues to hold strong appeal for South American players.
According to Transfermarkt, the league has welcomed a long list of South Americans over the years, including players from Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Uruguay.
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Some, like José Torrealba and Ricardo Nascimento, left a lasting impression in the PSL, while current stars such as Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Marcelo Allende, and Darwin González have also made a considerable impact so far.
However, the same cannot be said for all South Americans who’ve made the move—former Orlando Pirates defender Caio Marcelo being one example.
The Brazilian lasted just one season at Pirates between 2018 and 2019, making only eight appearances, according to Transfermarkt.
Pirates' rivals Kaizer Chiefs have also had their share of underwhelming signings from South America, such as Efmamjjasond González, who stayed just one season before leaving permanently after the 2023/24 campaign.
Another South African giant, Mamelodi Sundowns, briefly had Argentine striker Emiliano Tade in their ranks. The forward managed just 12 appearances at Chloorkop before moving on.
Scroll through the gallery above to see more South American players who didn’t last in the PSL!
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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