Lucas Ribeiro Costa has a huge Brazilian influence pressing for his return home should Mamelodi Sundowns accept the transfer offers on their table.
Ribeiro has come and conquered at Sundowns and just to confirm his standing won the PSL Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, Top goal scorer award, and Goal of the Season for last term.
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The two years spent at Sundowns have come with the return of 60 goal contributions in 88 appearances which included the FIFA Club World Cup where he scored the goal that was voted the best of the tournament.
There are offers on the table for Sundowns to consider for the 26-year-old from Brazilian club Fluminense and another club in Qatar.
"The ball is in Sundowns’ hands in deciding what to do next but what I know is that it is difficult to resist the temptation of coming back to Brazil," argues Freitas Camilo, who played for Orlando Pirates in 1988.
"This guy has always dreamt of playing in the Brazilian Serie A and now has the chance.
"Does he just turn it down like that?
"I say no.
"These are temptations way too difficult to resist.
"He is Brazilian and is not with a top European club so since there is interest from Fluminense he needs no second thoughts.
"What I know is that there has already been a huge influence from Brazilians pushing to come back home be it family, friends, and the Brazilian club.
"They have made it extremely difficult for him.
"So, I suppose all that is left is for Sundowns to accept the offer and Ribeiro will come back home.
"Based on what he showed at the Club World Cup they will make him the wonderful promise of possibly wearing the Brazil jersey.
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"His game will keep growing here at home, he will earn good money and be competing at a higher level.
"Fluminense is a massive team after all and will offer him the best of the world while at home.
"He is in a tight situation," says Camilo.
Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images
