Lucas Ribeiro Costa: Transfer Dispute, Salary & Sundowns Future

Lucas Ribeiro Costa’s name has dominated South African football searches. Fans want to know why the Mamelodi Sundowns forward, who lit up the 2024-25 season with goals and trophies, has suddenly disappeared. Transfer rumours, injury scares, and salary speculation have all contributed to the frenzy.

Transfer rumours and a legal fight

At the heart of the buzz is a contract dispute. On 1 August 2025, Ribeiro terminated his contract with Sundowns and referred the matter to the FIFA Football Tribunal. According to a statement shared by KickOff, he claims “just cause” to leave and cites European Court of Justice precedent. He alleges that Sundowns rejected a lucrative offer from Qatar SC, demanding a fee far above his market value and thereby blocking his career move. The Brazilian club Fluminense also expressed interest, but Ribeiro is reportedly leaning towards the Qatari Stars League.

An iDiski Times report confirms that Qatar SC tabled an official offer. Sources say the salary package on offer from Doha clubs far exceeds what Ribeiro could earn in Brazil; Al Duhail are also monitoring him. Since joining Sundowns in 2023, Ribeiro has scored 37 goals and provided 23 assists in 88 games. His market value on Transfermarkt is about €2.5 million (≈R50 million), yet Sundowns allegedly priced him higher than that, prompting his contract termination. Ribeiro’s agent, renowned sports lawyer Jean‑Louis Dupont, has vowed to fight the case at the FIFA Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport

Sundowns have not publicly agreed to release Ribeiro. Coach Miguel Cardoso has stayed tight‑lipped, telling reporters that no player can be a direct replacement for another and that fans should not compare new signing Arthur Sales to Ribeiro. Cardoso said he won’t comment on Ribeiro’s absence but that “in the proper time, we will know everything that has happened with him”. Until FIFA rules, the striker remains a Sundowns player.

Injury updates: not as serious as feared

In May 2024, Ribeiro limped off during a 0‑0 draw against Golden Arrows. Coach Rulani Mokwena blamed congested fixtures and insisted the injury was not serious. He has since recovered, and his current absence is due to contractual issues rather than fitness. There are no reports of fresh injuries, but his lack of game time in the 2025–26 season has fuelled speculation.

Salary, contract & lifestyle

Ribeiro joined Sundowns on 6 July 2023, and his contract was meant to run until 30 June 2028. Local reports suggest he is one of the highest‑paid players in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). According to Briefly.co.za, he earns between R700,000 and R1 million per month, making him the club’s top earner. That figure eclipses many PSL stars and explains why Qatari clubs are prepared to offer even bigger salaries.