Mamelodi Sundowns seemingly powerless as FIFA clears Ribeiro for Spanish debut on Sunday

Lucas Ribeiro Costa has officially transferred from South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns to Spanish club Cultural Leonesa, receiving FIFA's approval to play in Spain's Segunda División.

This dramatic twist has captivated football fans worldwide, and the approval has not only left Sundowns stunned but has also initiated a legal saga that could take months to resolve.

The Brazilian striker's impressive performances at the FIFA Club World Cup had sparked interest across Europe and beyond, ultimately leading to this unexpected move. Ribeiro, who scored 37 goals and created 23 others in 88 appearances for Sundowns, notably won the 'Goal of the Tournament' with a stunning strike against Borussia Dortmund.

However, his journey to Spain was not without upheaval; the player had three years remaining on his contract with Sundowns when he decided to terminate it due to the club's reluctance to accept lucrative overseas offers.

Ribeiro's lawyer, Jean-Louis Dupont, revealed that the forward’s dispute with Sundowns and the South African Football Association (SAFA) remains unresolved. Both entities had resisted attempts to issue Ribeiro the International Transfer Certificate (ITC), prompting him to escalate the matter to FIFA.

Dupont indicated that the legal proceedings could take up to two years, asserting that this would not prevent Ribeiro from performing in Spain during that time. “The resolution of this dispute will take months,” warned Dupont, heightening anticipation around the unfolding drama.

At the heart of the matter is the claim that Sundowns had rejected generous offers exceeding Ribeiro’s market value, thereby restricting his ability to secure a move.

Considering precedents such as the Lassana Diarra case against Lokomotiv Moscow, Ribeiro's legal team argued that FIFA was obliged to release his ITC, which it has now done.

FIFA's response, via a statement, was broadcast by the American company ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network). FIFA confirmed that Ribeiro is eligible to represent Cultural Leonesa in official matches immediately.

This allows Ribeiro to now focus on revitalising his career as Leonesa aims for its first win of the season against league leaders Racing de Santander on Sunday. The Spaniards hope Ribeiro's inclusion will help turn around their struggling campaign.

As the legal storm surrounds Sundowns and Costa, the South African club finds itself in a delicate position. While they deal with the repercussions of Ribeiro's sudden departure, the player is set to begin a new chapter of his professional journey in Spain.

The football world will certainly keep a close eye on how this story unfolds.