Mamelodi Sundowns forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa says they didn’t come to the FIFA Club World Cup to change their style of play and is excited for a ‘special’ game against Fluminense.
Sundowns are the only hope for Africa to have a representative in the last-16 of the Club World Cup, with Al Ahly, Wydad Athletic Club and Esperance Sportive de Tunis all eliminated in the group stage.
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A win would see them leapfrog Fluminense and progress from Group F, and it could be one they look towards Costa for inspiration, having scored an incredible solo goal to open the scoring against Borussia Dortmund, in their 4-3 defeat.
Despite the loss, Sundowns earned global plaudits and acclaim for their fearless style of play against the Bundesliga giants, but none of this experience of the global event is going to their heads, according to the Brazilian.
“For me it’s a special game, it’s the first time to play this team from Brazil, we’re playing to win this game – it will be a very difficult game like the Dortmund one also,” he said.
“But the team is relaxed, it’s not too much pressure in their minds – the level is very high here, the players are very focused for this game.”
Costa, who is among the favourites to win the Premier Soccer League Footballer of the Season says he is brimming with confidence but what’s made him happy, is how they have stuck to their identity since arriving in the United States of America this month.
“I have the confidence at all times, but I am very happy that I scored the goal, gave an assist for Iqraam [Rayners] to score, but I don’t speak about myself but about the group, we played very well, we fought together,” he said.
“For me, the most important thing is we play the exact same as we play in South Africa, we don’t come here to change, we play – you see? So, I’m very happy with my team.”
Ribeiro has been in impressive for in the 2024/25 season with 21 goals and 14 assists in 50 games across all competitions.
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