Mamelodi Sundowns forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa says the ambition of the project was a key factor behind leaving European football.
Sundowns lured the Brazilian from Belgian club SK Beveren and he’s since emerged as one of the leading figures in South African football.
His early performances in the 2024/25 season have already seen him being touted as one of the favourites for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Footballer of the Season.
In an exclusive interview with iDiski Times, the 26-year-old has explained how the lucrative transfer transpired in the off-season ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
“Coming to Sundowns… for sure, it’s a big club, a great club that most footballers would want to play for. But for me when I was offered a contract it was more about the ambition the club has,” he said in iDiski Times Edition 181.
“The ambition to win all the cups, the titles. And for me, it was an opportunity to be in a space I haven’t been before, where you fight to win every game and every title.
“It’s the ambition of the club and thanks to God I achieved some trophies, it was my first and winning it for the club, it shows the ambition of the club is something they are sticking to and something I want to continue to help achieve.”
Costa admits he didn’t know much about the club, or South African football in general, when they first made contact – but went on to do his homework, and was quickly sold on the idea to move to Africa.
“Well it’s fair to say I didn’t know much about South African football or South Africa that much, the history of the club and knowledge of South Africa was limited but when the offer came, I started having time to research more to understand more even before signing the contract to join Sundowns,” he explained.
“The decision to come here has been one of my best because upon arriving everything has gone well with me, and the culture, I am loving every perspective and aspect of the club and people around the team, my teammates, and everyone!
“It’s helped me for sure to play in a marvellous team like Sundowns where everything is about winning. It’s a good thing for me because I’ve enjoyed a fantastic first season and now in this second season I am doing well.
“Okay things get better with time as I adapt and at the end of this season there’s a big club, I’m going to be in the FIFA Club World Cup, it’s another perspective that adds to the chapter to be part of the club, which helps.”
Costa has scored 23 goals and registered 13 assists in 49 games for Sundowns across all competitions.
