Mamelodi Sundowns defender Keano Cupido has proudly shown off a gift he received from none other than Brazilian legend Thiago Silva. Let’s take a closer look.
The story
Cupido joined Sundowns in January 2025 from Cape Town City and quickly cemented his place in the team, going on to feature in every match at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
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Masandawana were drawn into a challenging Group B, where they faced German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund, South Korea’s Ulsan HD, and Brazilian side Fluminense, home to the legend Silva.
Downs began their campaign with a solid win over Ulsan HD, but fell short in their following group matches against Dortmund and Fluminense.
Despite the early exit, the tournament offered unforgettable experiences, particularly for the 27-year-old Cupido.
The defender held his own against top-tier opposition and, after the final group match, exchanged jerseys with Silva, a moment that clearly meant the world to him.
In a recent Instagram post, Cupido shared photos of himself wearing the Fluminense jersey, captioned: "Proof that hard work and faith can bring you face-to-face with your inspiration."
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Silva, a former Chelsea, PSG, and AC Milan star, is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of his generation. For Cupido, who grew up watching Silva dominate on the global stage, this encounter was more than just a jersey swap.
Though Sundowns didn’t progress beyond the group stages, the experience of competing on the world stage and sharing the pitch with a living legend will undoubtedly be a highlight of Cupido’s career.
