by SuperSportBet
Lucas Ribeiro shone the brightest in local football last season. As such, he was rewarded for his efforts at the 2024/25 season virtual PSL awards on Tuesday night.
Ribeiro bagged the PSL Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, Goal of the Season and Top Goal Scorer of the Season gongs.
The four awards were all befitting for the Brazilian as they served as a recognition of the individual qualities that complete him as a football player.
The Footballer of the Season award is the highest order of recognition by the PSL coaches as they give it to an individual who’s thrived on-and-off the pitch in local football.
Ribeiro duly did that. He led Sundowns’ title aspirations domestically and continentally, scoring 21 goals and registering 14 assists in 51 matches.
His impact wasn’t only in the final third, but in the overall team structure as well. He joined in on the team build-up, and allowed his teammates ample freedom with and without the ball.
Ribeiro embodied his Brazilian roots, bringing to life Sundowns’ ‘shoeshine and piano’ style of play, which describes ‘The Brazilians’ moniker of the club.
Ribeiro didn't only endear himself to his teammates or Masandawana, as Sundowns’ fans are affectionately, but to the entire football fraternity.
As such, he made the dream of a lucky toddler come true - met and gave him his boots after the former chanted his name during the 1-1 draw with Golden Arrows in Hammersdale.
Ribeiro became a fan-favourite in local football so much so that there were public calls for him to change nationality and be considered for Bafana Bafana.
That didn’t come into fruition as coach Hugo Broos believes that he has enough depth at his disposal to qualify for major tournaments and compete.
The captains of the 14 other teams in the PSL top-flight last season, besides Sundowns, voted for Ribeiro to be the Players’ Player of the Season.
And that must have humbled the 26-year-old given the fact that one of the best recognitions someone can get is a token of excellence from the majority of his colleagues.
Ribeiro is a competitor at heart, and hates losing. That’s why so many times last season, he vowed to show up in big matches.
The Brazilian missed a penalty during the 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final at Mbombela Stadium, Mpumalanga, during the 2023/24 season.
And last season, he vowed to make up for lost time when he met Pirates again, and he did just that - scoring a terrific brace in the 4-1 win at home, Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
That goal signalled Ribeiro and Sundowns’ intentions to defend their crown yet again. Something, they went on to achieve.
And with club captains not able to vote for their teammates in this category, the likelihood is that former Pirates’ captain Innocent Maema casted his vote for Ribeiro as well.
Former Stellenbosch’s captain Fawaaz Basadien and Kaizer Chiefs’ winger Godly Lilepo were in the running for the Goal of the Season awards.
Basadien scored a screamer from his own half against Cape Town City in the iKapa derby, while Lilepo netted a curling thunderbolt against Marumo Gallants at home.
But it was Ribeiro who reigned supreme in the category with the beautiful goal he scored against Pirates at home after making a solo run from his own half to the opposite end.
It was a goal that didn’t only intensify their title aspirations, but ensured that Pirates were on an unstoppable streak across the board.
Sundowns won eight games across all competitions in February, while they were impressive on the scoreboard as well, scoring four goals and more in five outings, including the demotion of Pirates.
The goal against the Sea Robbers was cream of crop in Ribeiro’s collection, especially having scored a penenka during the 1-1 draw with Arrows where the toddler chanted his name.
Ribeiro is not a 9. So, he thrives as a 10, playing behind the strikers in order to feed them with balls or use them as a decoy to open up spaces for shots.
And so for him to walk away with Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot award spoke volumes of his prowess and execution.
He was so efficient in front of goal last season that he matched last season’s tally of Tshegofatso Mabasa’s who’s a natural out-and-out striker.
Like any other player, there was a time that Ribeiro went through a goal drought last season, and his teammate and striker partner Iqraam Rayners flourished up front.
But the fact that the latter wasn’t able to catch up with him after coming up short with one goal meant that Ribeiro did most of the job when it was early and during crucial moments.
Ribeiro proved that his scoring prowess in local football wasn’t a fluke as he took his skillset to the biggest stage - the Fifa Club World Cup.
The 26-year-old scored an almost similar goal to the one against Pirates when they lost 4-3 to Borussia Dortmund in the group stage.
He raced from his own half, left his markers for dust, before going one-on-one with the goalkeeper and picking up his spot to send Sundowns to an early lead.
His goal got people’s attention so much so that it was voted as the Goal of the Tournament. A huge achievement for him and Sundowns.
Ribeiro’s impressive exploits for Sundowns domestically, continentally, and internationally, haven’t gone unnoticed.
Reports are rife that he had to cut pre-season preparations with the team in Rustenburg last week short, owing to a pending move abroad following interest in Brazil, France, and Qatar.
Should he leave the club, the 26-year-old will be remembered as a one of the best imports that have graced the PSL and donned the Brazilians’ famous yellow and green jersey.
Ribeiro hasn’t only lit up the PSL, but the continental and international stages, bringing a wholesome entertainment to all and sundry.
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