Lucas Ribeiro, the Brazilian striker for Mamelodi Sundowns, has been awarded the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Goal of the Tournament, outperforming stars like Lionel Messi and Jamal Musiala. This tournament, held in the United States, featured a remarkable moment from Ribeiro during Sundowns’ group stage match against Bundesliga top team Borussia Dortmund. Despite the South African Premier Soccer League side losing 4–3 in a thrilling game, Ribeiro’s impressive solo goal stood out as the highlight of both the match and the entire tournament. He took possession in his own half and executed a stunning 67-yard sprint, navigating through Dortmund’s defense before skillfully placing the ball past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. This goal garnered significant attention online and accumulated 40,000 fan votes, securing the award ahead of efforts from Messi and Musiala. Ribeiro joined Mamelodi Sundowns in July 2023 under a long-term contract lasting until June 2028. His signing was interpreted as a clear signal of intent from Sundowns, and he has quickly become a key player for Miguel Cardoso’s team. Following his impressive showing at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which was ultimately won by Chelsea, he has caught the eyes of AS Saint-Etienne in France.
