Lucas Ribeiro's contract issue is heading towards being resolved with FIFA! | OneFootball

The player's case is heading to be resolved in court.

Lucas Ribeiro's contract issue is heading towards being resolved with FIFA!

In a dramatic turn of events, Brazilian striker Lucas Ribeiro Costa has taken formal steps to sever ties with Mamelodi Sundowns, officially submitting his resignation and escalating the dispute to the FIFA Football Tribunal in pursuit of a contract termination.

The player's decision comes on the heels of a breakout performance at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where his remarkable goal—widely acclaimed as the tournament's best—catapulted him into the global spotlight and sparked significant transfer interest.

Ribeiro, who left the club’s pre-season preparations without authorization, is now seeking a ruling from world football’s governing body to validate his departure. In a strongly worded statement, he asserted: “I believe that I have just cause to terminate my contract with Mamelodi Sundowns FC, which I will explain before the FIFA Football Tribunal.”

He also expressed confidence that recent legal history—specifically the CJEU’s landmark Lassana Diarra case—will work in his favor, shielding any future club from repercussions. As he put it: “My next employer will not be involved in the dispute between me and Mamelodi Sundowns FC — neither from a disciplinary perspective nor financially.”

The case now rests in the hands of FIFA, with Ribeiro hoping for a resolution that allows him to continue his career unimpeded.