Sundowns face legal battle as Ribeiro seeks contract termination

A dispute between star forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Mamelodi Sundowns has escalated, with the Brazilian submitting his resignation and taking the matter to the FIFA Football Tribunal to terminate his contract.

Ribeiro, fresh off a standout performance at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where he scored the Goal of the Tournament, claims the club has been impeding his career ambitions.

Ribeiro’s frustration stems from a transfer bid from Qatar SC, which he describes as “particularly generous” and above his market value. However, he alleges that Sundowns attempted to “drive up the price endlessly and in an unreasonable manner,” causing the deal to collapse.

The Brazilian argues that these “unreasonable expectations” disregarded his career and personal situation, leaving him with no choice but to seek a legal resolution.

The 26-year-old, who has three years remaining on his contract with Sundowns, has secured the services of renowned sports lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, the same legal firm involved in the landmark Lassana Diarra case.

Ribeiro is pinning his hopes on this legal precedent, arguing that recent judicial rulings from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) will support his position and allow him to continue his career without hindrance. He is confident that his future employer will not face disciplinary or financial penalties from this dispute.

After abruptly leaving Sundowns’ pre-season training before the start of the new season, Ribeiro is now considering offers from multiple clubs, with a particular focus on those within the European Union. He remains committed to making a decision that will ensure his long-term stability and continued growth as a footballer, acknowledging that a player’s career is “short and unpredictable.”

Ribeiro Costa, the reigning PSL Footballer of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season, has not featured in any of Sundowns’ five matches this season as he seeks to force a move from the club.

In a letter circulating on social media, the Brazilian attacker stated: “I believe that I have just cause to terminate my contract with Mamelodi Sundowns FC, which I will explain before the FIFA Football Tribunal.

“However, in any event, following the Diarra ruling by the CJEU, there is no doubt that the dispute between me and my former club will not prevent me from continuing my career with peace of mind: indeed, following its own regulations (as amended in light of the Diarra judgement), FIFA will see to it that the international transfer certificate be immediately delivered upon request by my future employer.

“The deal became impossible due to their unreasonable expectations,” he added. “They inflated the transfer price in a way that disregarded my career and personal situation.

“I’m focused on making decisions that further my development as a footballer while ensuring long-term stability for my family.”