RB Leipzig Brazilian star forward Rômulo admits they are wary of the challenge the newly crowned African Champions Mamelodi Sundowns will present this evening at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Staidum.
When Die Rotten Bullen touched down in South Africa for their pre-season friendly against Mamelodi Sundowns today, one player has been feeling particularly at ease.
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Rômulo, the 24-year-old Brazilian centre-forward who has been one of the quiet revelations of the Bundesliga’s past season, has taken to the Southern African environment like a natural.
“It’s been a nice time, we’ve enjoyed a lot, had fun with the fans – I think it’s just missing a safari to do,” he said, laughing. “We enjoyed the weather, the city, it’s been a good time.”
For a player who grew up in Marialva in southern Brazil before working his way through the academies of Maringá and Athletico Paranaense, the warmth of South Africa is familiar in more ways than one.
The street football culture, the passion in the stands, the unbridled joy of the game at grassroots level, all of it has resonated deeply.
“The people are happy, like Brazil,” he said. “I went to the tournament with the kids, how they play, how they enjoy the game – this feels like Brazil.”
After a year in the wilderness of domestic competition only, the Red Bulls are back where the club believes it belongs.
It is that Champions League return which gives the friendly against Sundowns a deeper undertone for Rômulo and his teammates. This may be a pre-season occasion, but the mentality he describes is anything but casual.
“It’s a friendly game but we always want to win, we want to have fun – I hope we can win,” he said.
“It’s important for us and our young players, it’s even more important. We have a lot of talent in the squad, so they can show everyone, the coach and fans [what they can do] – it’s important to win. They are African champions.”
The respect for Sundowns is genuine. Rômulo acknowledged that he has done his homework on Masandawana, having watched them compete on the global stage earlier this year.
“I know Arthur Sales, he played in Brazil also. I watched Mamelodi Sundowns in the Club World Cup; they had a good performance, so it will be a difficult game for us today.”
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