Brazilian star Lucas Ribeiro Costa has reportedly approached the FIFA Tribunal in an attempt to force a departure from Mamelodi Sundowns, following interest from overseas clubs.
Ribeiro’s decision follows a breakout campaign at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where his dazzling displays earned him global attention.
The forward not only impressed with consistent performances but also scored the tournament’s best goal – a strike that significantly boosted his international profile and fuelled speculation over his next career move.
The 26-year-old forward had earlier left Sundowns’ pre-season camp to work out a move to Fluminense or Qatar SC before formally filing his case with FIFA, as first reported by iDiskiTimes.
He has asked the Tribunal to deliver a ruling on the implications of his contract termination, insisting he acted within the legal framework of the game.
“I believe that I have just cause to terminate my contract with Mamelodi Sundowns FC, which I will explain before the FIFA Football Tribunal,” Ribeiro declared in a statement.
The Brazilian also believes judicial precedent is on his side. He pointed to the landmark ruling in the Lassana Diarra case by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which strengthened players’ rights to challenge restrictive contracts.
“My next employer will not be involved in the dispute between me and Mamelodi Sundowns FC – neither from a disciplinary perspective nor financially,” Ribeiro added, signalling his intention to move forward without complications.
Ribeiro’s bold move sets the stage for a potential legal showdown that could reshape how contract disputes are handled in South African football, while also leaving Sundowns with a major gap to fill ahead of the new season.