‘It was a very good season but I don’t play alone so I want to say thank you to my teammates,’ Ribeiro said.
Mamelodi Sundowns forward Lucas Ribeiro has dedicated all four of his individual PSL awards to his teammates and the club, after dominating the league’s end-of-season honours.
Sundowns’ Ribeiro wins big
The Brazilian attacker walked away with the Footballer of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season, making him the standout winner at the PSL Awards ceremony that were televised on Tuesday night.
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Ribeiro edged out Orlando Pirates starlet Relebohile Mofokeng and Sekhukhune United’s Keletso Makgalwa for the two most prestigious accolades, after earning the votes of both his Betway Premiership peers and opposition coaches.
According to the PSL, voting for Footballer of the Season was conducted solely by top-flight coaches, who were not permitted to nominate players from their own clubs.
The Players’ Player of the Season award was decided by fellow professionals, with each club allowed up to 30 votes, but they were not allowed to vote for teammates.
‘Faith in God’
“What keeps me going is those close to me, my faith in God. Without those things I don’t think I’d be here. When the moments get difficult, the team helps me, the club and coach,” Ribeiro said.
“I believe all those people contributed. The players are always helping me and the coaches too. I’m very happy to represent them in the best way possible, just as they help me.”
Having finished the season with 16 league goals as Sundowns secured a record-extending eighth consecutive league title, Ribeiro claimed the Top Goalscorer award.
The 26-year-old’s strike against Orlando Pirates was also voted Goal of the Season. The Brazilian embarked on a brilliant solo run from his own half, gliding past several Pirates defenders before slotting home with a clinical finish.
“It was an incredible season. I’m very happy to win the top goal scorer as well as other awards for goal of the season, players’ player of the season and football of the season,” Ribeiro added.
“I’m very happy and thank you to my teammates and the supporters. It was a very good season but I don’t play alone so I want to say thank you to my teammates.”
Other categories on the night were voted for by football journalists, broadcasters, analysts and commentators that cover the domestic game.
For Ribeiro, it has been a remarkable season that culminated in him also winning the FIFA Club World Cup Goal of the Tournament for his brilliant solo effort against German club Borussia Dortmund.
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He’s reportedly being persused by Brazilian club Fluminense who are believed to be locked in negotiations with Masandawana over a possible transfer to the highly-rated winger.