Top Striker Lucas Ribeiro Drags Mamelodi Sundowns to FIFA Tribunal Over Contract Dispute
Mamelodi Sundowns’ top striker, Lucas Ribeiro, has escalated his dispute with the club by taking his case to the FIFA Football Tribunal.
The Brazilian forward, who was crowned South Africa’s Player of the Season, is pushing to terminate his contract with the Tshwane giants.
Ribeiro has not featured for Sundowns since the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign, despite being last season’s leading goal scorer.
The 27-year-old has been on the radar of several clubs in Europe and beyond, fueling speculation about his uncertain future.
Also Read: Mamelodi Sundowns Star Lucas Ribeiro Costa Bags Four Awards at 2024/25 PSL Awards
“Just Cause” Cited in Bid to Leave
In a statement shared with South African media, Ribeiro revealed that he was relying on “just cause” to justify his exit.
He also expressed confidence that a ruling by the Court of Justice of the EU would ensure that his future employer could swiftly secure his International Transfer Certificate.
“My next move will be guided by what allows me to flourish as a sportsman,” Ribeiro explained.
His agent, Jean-Louis Dupont, accused Sundowns of blocking opportunities, including what he described as a “particularly generous” offer from Qatar SC.
“Each time, they attempted to drive up the price in an unreasonable manner, ultimately scuppering the deal,” Dupont said.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ Valuation Sparks Debate
The club’s stance has sparked debate among sports lawyers and analysts. Well-known sports lawyer Mandla Tshabalala weighed in, insisting Sundowns are justified in their valuation of Ribeiro.
“When he arrived from SK Beveren in Belgium, Ribeiro was a nobody. Sundowns popularized him, gave him a stage at the CAF Champions League final and the FIFA Club World Cup, and he went on to win PSL awards, including Player of the Season,” Tshabalala said.
He argued that a player’s value naturally increases with achievements.
“If Ribeiro gets nominated for something like the Puskas Award, his price could go up again. Sundowns are simply adjusting to his rising profile.”
Future Hanging in the Balance
Reports suggest Sundowns’ asking price has reached as high as €15 million (around R300 million), pricing out several potential suitors.
For now, the standoff between Ribeiro and Sundowns continues, with the FIFA Tribunal set to determine whether the Brazilian has grounds to walk away from his contract.
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