Striker Lucas Ribeiro Costa has penned an emotional message to club supporters after suffering an early injury during Mamelodi Sundowns' heartbreaking Nedbank Cup final defeat to Orlando Pirates.
Signed at the start of the season with high expectations, the Brazilian enjoyed a stellar campaign in his first taste of DStv Premiership action.
Ribeiro quickly established himself as a key weapon in the Sundowns artillery.
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However, misfortunes seems to have been haunting him.
He missed out on a nomination for both the PSL Footballer of the Season and Players' Player of the Season awards, despite an impressive return of 16 goals and nine assists from 37 appearances.
Additionally, his season has been marred by some freakish injuries, including one sustained in the final of the Nedbank Cup against the Buccaneers. Ribeiro had provided the assist for Sundowns' opener by Themba Zwane but could play no further part and watched his side suffer defeat from the stands.
Reflecting on the season that yielded two trophies, the left-footer admitted he had been frustrated by his injuries.
"I think there are some things we are not ready to understand, sometimes it's difficult to accept," Ribeiro wrote.
"Certain things, even more so in my profession that we are always destined to make mistakes. I wanted Being (to be) able to stay on the field and help more my mates.
"I am devastated to get out of the form (to leave the field). how can I leave the field, but God is in control (of) everything!
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"The season ends in one way a little sad, but on the other hand we learn something valuable, to know that things are not always the way we want, but to evolve we need to go through situations like this, because it is with mistakes that we become great champions!
"Thank God for the 2 ?? I'm sure it's the first of many. Now I will enjoy (time with) my family, recover to come back stronger than ever."
Meanwhile, head coach Rulani Mokwena has praised the South American attacker and tipped him to reach even greater heights next term.
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