Lucas Ribeiro Costa will on Saturday take yet another remarkable step for what he has done at Mamelodi Sundowns this season.
Sundowns have Club World Cup business to handle against Borussia Dortmund in Group F at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday (18:00 SA time).
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It is a game of importance for the Chloorkop-based club as they will get to genuinely gauge how close they have moved towards matching top European opposition.
Besides that, it will be a match of significance for the man who has been their best player this season – Ribeiro.
The Brazilian has carried his responsibilities in the last third with a smile, standing on 20 goals and 14 assists to date.
He was the usual threat on Wednesday morning, providing the assist that led to the goal which made the difference against South Korean champions Ulsan HD.
So, come Saturday in Cincinnati, Ribeiro will get to play what will count as his 50th appearance for the club this term.
It will be a feat rarely achieved and provide further proof to how important he has been for Sundowns.
The 26-year-old has only not been involved in five matches for the PSL champions.
His half century mark will come amid growing interest from back home about what he is doing for the club ironically nicknamed The Brazilians.
From having been labelled an unknown for all the time he has been at Sundowns, Ribeiro is suddenly a subject of interest after just a single appearance at the Club World Cup.
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Those from his hometown Santa Helena in the state of Maranhão have made the most noise in embracing him.
Sundowns’ last group match against Fluminense will all be centred around Ribeiro.
Photo: Sebastien Frej/Getty Images
