Lucas Ribeiro Costa could have never imagined the kind of dream start that he has enjoyed at Mamelodi Sundowns since arriving during the off-season.
Costa has had a splendid start to his time at Sundowns scoring on debut against Sekhukhune United earlier this month (August) before adding another three including the brace against Polokwane City on Wednesday.
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While the Brazilian essentially functions as a second striker or out on the wing, he has risen to lead the scoring charts in the DStv Premiership.
Amazing for a footballer who arrived on these shores thin on topflight football.
"There is something that he needs to know which is important," points out fellow Brazilian Ricardo Nascimento.
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Nascimento was the last Brazilian to play for Sundowns before Costa arrives and has good reason to give advice to his fellow countryman.
Now back home in South America and contemplating the thought of hanging his boots, Nascimento spent five-and-a-half years at Chloorkop winning the Nedbank Cup, Telkom Knockout, MTN8, CAF Super Cup, CAF Champions League and five league titles.
"It is important to remain humble.
"That is the first point.
"Then secondly, he needs to make sure that he doesn't stop working hard.
"That hard work that has gotten him to where he is now with what he is doing must be maintained without dropping a bit.
"I want him to step up.
"The quality that he has shown will mean that opponents will plan around him, so it is key for him to raise his efforts.
"Sundowns is a good club that will offer him all that he needs to work on his game.
"So, what is important is to keep making use of the opportunities that he gets at the club.
"The sky is the limit and I wish him well as a fellow Brazilian," says Nascimento.
Costa (24) came through the development ranks of Brazilian club Esporte Clube Pinheiros before moving to the reserve team of Valenciennes in France in July 2017.
From there he went on to Belgium where he found home at Royal Excelsior Virton in the second-tier league before stints at Chaleroi SC, RWD Molenbeek, Royal Excel Mouscron, and SK Beveren.
"I see that he has fellow South Americans at Sundowns now so that will benefit him.
"I think the presence of all those other guys (Gaston Sirino, Marcelo Allende, Junior Mendieta, and Erwin Saavedra) has helped.
"Long may the good times continue for him," adds Nascimento.
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