Mamelodi Sundowns' talisman Lucas Ribeiro ecstatic with the season of triumphs, and teamwork

Lucas Ribeiro is on cloud nine after winning big at the 2024/25 season PSL awards, and he’s grateful for the support his teammates and coaches gave him.

Ribeiro had his best season in the famous yellow and green jersey of Sundowns last campaign, scoring 21 and registering 14 assists in 51 games.

His exploits steered Sundowns to a record-extending eighth title in a row, CAF Champions League final and Carling Knockout final.

The Brazilian also starred at the Club World Cup in the US, scoring the Goal of the Tournament for his strike against German giants Borussia Dortmund in the group stage.

And for his domestic efforts, he bagged the league’s coveted Footballer of the Season, Player’s Player of the Season, Goal of the Season and Top Goal Scorer of the Season awards.

“It was a very good season, and the team played very well,” Ribeiro told the Brazilians’ media team after the award ceremony on Tuesday night.

“There was fatigue this season because we played so many games, but I am happy with individual trophies.

“I didn’t play alone though. My teammates helped me a lot, and gave me support. So, thank you to them and the coach (Miguel Cardoso) - the guy helped me to elevate my level as a player.”

Being crowned the Footballer of the Season - an award that’s voted for by the 16 coaches in the league - is one of the greatest recognition a player can get.

But, Ribeiro didn’t want to single out his favourite trophy, saying: “I like every trophy because they are all important to me. It was a crazy season for me, so all four mean a lot.”

Ribeiro and Co are set to be in for another “crazy season" as expectations have mounted on them to improve after their impressive display at the World Cup last month.

As such, after coming back for pre-season, they started with their preparations at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium as their base, Chloorkop, is undergoing renovations.

From thereon, they camped in Rustenburg before returning to Atteridgeville to finetune their preparations for the MTN8 quarter-final against Richards at the same venue on Sunday.

“Training was good,” said Ribeiro. “I am happy with training, and I am back at training to help my team. I worked well with the players and the coaches.”

Ribeiro’s presence at training must be pleasing for Masandawana especially after reports that he had left camp in the North West, pending a move either to Qatar, France or Brazil.

However, his teammates seem to have made peace with the fact that a player of Ribeiro’s calibre will always be in demand, and one day he’ll probably leave the club.

And so, that’s why defender Keanu Cupido, who was speaking during the launch of the MTN8 this week, revealed what the team’s backup plan will be if Ribeiro leaves this winter.

“Lucas is a great player, and I think each and everyone would miss a player like that. Even in your workplace, if someone like that has to leave, you’ll see the gap,” Cupido said.

“But for us, as Mamelodi Sundown, if it does happen for him and he has to leave, we wish him well.

“At Mamelodi Sundowns, there’s a lot of quality that can fill in and pick up where he left off. There are youngsters that can grow up and be a player that’s as good as Lucas as well.”