The football world is abuzz as Lucas Ribeiro Costa, the prolific Brazilian striker and reigning PSL Player of the Year, makes headlines with his controversial transfer from Mamelodi Sundowns to Spain’s Cultural Deportiva Leonesa. This move, greenlit by FIFA, has set off a complex legal and sporting saga that’s captivating fans and raising eyebrows across continents.
Just weeks ago, few would have predicted such a dramatic twist. Ribeiro, whose contract with South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns was set to run until 2028, abruptly terminated his agreement on August 1, 2025. The reason? Alleged resistance from Sundowns to accept lucrative transfer offers from Europe and Qatar, which, according to Ribeiro’s legal team, severely restricted his freedom of movement. The club’s reluctance sparked a heated dispute and ultimately led the Brazilian to escalate his case to FIFA.
Ribeiro’s stats for Sundowns are nothing short of remarkable. Since joining the club in 2023 from Belgian side Beveren, he racked up 37 goals and 23 assists in 88 appearances. His exploits at the FIFA Club World Cup, especially his stunning strike against Borussia Dortmund that won him the 'Goal of the Tournament,' only heightened European interest. Clubs across the continent began circling, but Sundowns reportedly stood firm, rejecting offers that even exceeded Ribeiro’s market value.
On August 31, 2025, Ribeiro signed a new employment contract with Spanish second-division side Cultural Leonesa. However, the move was anything but straightforward. Sundowns, together with the South African Football Association (SAFA), refused to issue the International Transfer Certificate (ITC), effectively blocking the transfer. Ribeiro’s legal team, led by Jean-Louis Dupont and the firm Dupont-Hissel, argued that precedents such as the Lassana Diarra case—and recent rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union—compelled FIFA to intervene and release the ITC.
FIFA ultimately sided with Ribeiro, issuing the ITC and allowing him to play for Leonesa with immediate effect. In a press release sent to ESPN, Dupont stated, “Following a decision by FIFA, Lucas Ribeiro Costa has received the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) allowing him to play in official competitions for his new club, Cultural Leonesa, with immediate effect.” This decision, however, does not resolve the contractual dispute between the player and Sundowns. Instead, it ensures that the Brazilian can continue his career while the legal process unfolds.
The legal wrangling is far from over. According to Dupont, “The resolution of this dispute will take months.” FIFA has referred the matter to its Football Tribunal, with the possibility of further appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Standard practice suggests that such proceedings could stretch on for one to two years. Importantly, the dispute is strictly between Ribeiro and Sundowns, with Leonesa remaining uninvolved in the legal fray.
Sundowns, for their part, maintain that they have always been willing to negotiate in good faith. In an August 21 statement, the club asserted, “It has always been the policy and commitment of Mamelodi Sundowns to engage and negotiate with football clubs in Africa and worldwide, that are interested in recruiting and acquiring the services of the Club’s players. The objective of Sundowns in these discussions and negotiations has always been to advance the interests of the player and the Club and to be fair and just, and to contribute to the fulfilment of the interests of all parties.” Despite these assurances, the club’s actions—at least in Ribeiro’s case—have come under intense scrutiny.
FIFA’s intervention has broader implications for cross-border transfers. Recent regulations now prevent local associations, such as SAFA, from stalling the movement of foreign players. This change is designed to avoid delays and protect the rights of professional footballers seeking opportunities abroad. Sources close to the situation told SABC Sport that FIFA’s decision to release the ITC was based on these new rules, not on a definitive ruling regarding Ribeiro’s contract dispute. Sundowns and SAFA have been advised to pursue their case through the appropriate legal channels, with the football tribunal set to deliver a final judgment in the coming weeks or months.
Meanwhile, Cultural Leonesa has announced Ribeiro as their new signing, presenting him as a free agent. The club confirmed that the striker has penned a one-year deal, but there’s a twist: while FIFA’s green light allows him to play, Leonesa may hold off on fielding him until the tribunal delivers its ruling. The Spanish outfit, currently struggling in LaLiga 2 after a draw and three defeats in their opening four matches, could certainly use Ribeiro’s firepower as they prepare to face table-toppers Racing de Santander on Sunday, September 14, 2025.
This weekend’s fixture is laden with intrigue. Will Leonesa unleash their new star striker against the league leaders? Or will the ongoing legal uncertainty keep Ribeiro on the sidelines a little longer? The football world waits with bated breath, eager to see if the Brazilian’s debut will spark a turnaround for the Spanish club.
For Ribeiro, the move represents both a professional challenge and an opportunity to test himself on European soil once more. His time at Sundowns was marked by individual brilliance and team success, but the acrimonious end to his tenure has left a cloud over his legacy in South Africa. Now, with FIFA’s blessing, he’s set to embark on a new chapter—one that could define the next phase of his career.
As for Sundowns, the club faces a delicate balancing act. The loss of a talismanic forward is a blow, and the ongoing legal battle could have ramifications for future transfers. The case also highlights the growing influence of international legal precedents and FIFA regulations in shaping the modern football landscape. Clubs, players, and associations alike will be watching closely, mindful of the precedent this dispute may set.
With the legal process grinding on and the sporting drama set to unfold on the pitch, all eyes are on Cultural Leonesa and Lucas Ribeiro Costa. Whether the Brazilian will make an immediate impact or be forced to wait a little longer remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: this is a transfer saga that’s far from over, and the next chapter promises to be just as compelling as the last.
As Sunday’s clash with Racing de Santander approaches, anticipation is mounting. Will Ribeiro’s arrival spark a revival for Leonesa, or will the legal storm swirling around him continue to cast a shadow? For now, the football world watches and waits, eager for answers both on and off the field.
