How did Nuno Santos get used to life at Mamelodi Sundowns? | OneFootball

How the Portuguese used to play for Mamelodi Sundowns.

How did Nuno Santos get used to life at Mamelodi Sundowns?

In the bustling heart of Chloorkop, a new midfield maestro is quietly finding his rhythm. Nuno Santos, the Portuguese import for Mamelodi Sundowns, is swiftly turning a foreign land into a home, and his secret weapon is a familiar tongue.

The 26-year-old midfielder, who made the switch from Portugal's Vitoria Guimaraes, admits the South African football landscape is a world apart. Yet, the transition has been smoothed by a crucial lifeline: the presence of his compatriots. With Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso on the bench and fellow countryman Miguel Reisinho in midfield, Santos found an immediate support system.

“It has an influence, of course,” Santos reveals, highlighting the comfort of a shared language. “With a Portuguese coach, it’s easier. He can advise me about how things are here.” This familiar circle extends to Brazilian striker Arthur Sales, whose fluency in Portuguese has further helped Santos weave himself into the fabric of the team.

But what drew a European player to the shores of South Africa? For Santos, the answer was clear and compelling. “This is the biggest club in South Africa, one of the biggest in Africa,” he states. “I felt like the club really wanted me, and when you feel that, it’s way easier to make those types of decisions.”

While he is still acclimating to the local league, his impact on the continental stage has been nothing short of electric. In the CAF Champions League, Santos has been a revelation, notching three goals and two assists in just three appearances—a contribution that has instantly ignited hopes that Sundowns could conquer Africa once more.

Reflecting on his journey so far, Santos shares, “It’s very different, I’m trying to adapt as fast as I can... But I think I’m doing pretty well.” His ambition, however, burns as brightly as his start. “I want to win everything,” he declares, before adding with a focused mindset, “I am a person who always thinks about the next game... game by game we will get there.” For Nuno Santos and Sundowns, that next game is another step towards greatness.