After Lucas Ribeiro Costa hinted at the possibility of representing Bafana Bafana, social media was flooded with debates among fans about the prospect of the Brazilian playing for South Africa.
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The story
Mamelodi Sundowns star, Lucas Ribeiro Costa has been one of the standouts in local football so far this season, contributing with six goals and four assists in all competitions.
As one of three top scorers in the Betway Premiership — it's come as a surprise to many Sundowns fans as to how Lucas Ribeiro has missed out on selection for the Seleç.
During a press conference in the build-up to Sundowns' semi-final clash against Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup on Sunday, the forward expressed that he would consider representing Bafana Bafana if the opportunity arises, once he meets the eligibility criteria in the future.
The 26-year-old Brazilian, currently in his second season with Masandawana, would only be eligible for Bafana Bafana selection after residing in South Africa for more than five years.
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If the PSL season ended today, who would you crown as the player of the season?
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) November 8, 2024
Lucas Ribeiro Costa or Relebohile Mofokeng?#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/e3ql1oTUUm
Costa's response on potentially representing Bafana one day sent social media into a tailspin, with fans debating fiercely on whether the Brazilian would add value to the men's national team set up.
Lucas Ribeiro for Bafana Bafana? ??
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) November 7, 2024
The Sundowns star has been in red hot form in the #BetwayPrem prompting questions whether he'd be open to representing Bafana.
Here's the translation of his response ??#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/InZK6bMyWP
Here's what the Twitter/X timeline had to say:
Have these people watched Lucas Ribeiro play? No South African footballer is playing at his level right now. Absolute no one. Put your South African pride to the side, watch that man as a neutral with an open heart and you'll see we do not have that skillset in this country
— Lesilo Rula (@kay_mahapa) November 7, 2024
I repeat,there is no need to wait for 2028 to neutralize Lucas Ribeiro Costa...
— SolMad08 (@Madumetja__M08) November 8, 2024
This is easiest and quickest way! pic.twitter.com/Fv0TM5ozH2
Lucas Ribeiro is a very good player he was born in Brazil and grew up in Brazil he must represent Brazil national team
— SabeloStorm (@sabelostorm) November 8, 2024
End pic.twitter.com/m0pa5M8WsZ
Welcome to Bafana Bafana???? pic.twitter.com/DPgKbEC4iX
— SBUSISO (@SbuMasang) November 7, 2024
Imagine Lucas Ribeiro playing for Bafana Bafana… Too much quality! ?? pic.twitter.com/zYtFeSt4Fs
— Cellular® (@Cellular_jnr) November 7, 2024
Lucas Ribeiro is a good footballer, Sundowns is lucky to have him and it ends there. There is enough talent in South Africa , we do not need him. pic.twitter.com/6L2s90zU4X
— Anele Fumba ???? (@Anelefumba) November 8, 2024
Lucas Ribeiro will NEVER ever wear the Bafana Bafana jersey! That must be clear.
— Siphesihle Mnisi (@Oros_Mnisi) November 8, 2024
A few months ago, you were all up in arms fighting against Chidimma representing SA. Today you want Lucas Ribeiro Costa to represent Bafana just because he is your favorite. Where is the consistency?
— Dona D (@Dona_Da_first) November 8, 2024
Maybe Nigerians are right about South Africans being Afrophobic after all. pic.twitter.com/5RepssdKfl
That "Brazilian Reject" is the best player in PSL currently mind you ????
— Babygirl???? (@SibuthaNomzi) November 7, 2024
LUCAS RIBEIRO YOU F*CKEN STAR????
the Lucas Ribeiro chat has just shown that a lot of South Africans don't know football. At the Bafana level there's no time to nurture talent. You have a player who probably makes the top 1% of the best players on your continent. And yet we arguing about nurturing talent.
— Indoda Eyaphunyuka (@Katlehooo_) November 8, 2024
Lucas Ribeiro Costa is the best player in the league
— Shabba (@Shabangu__) November 2, 2024
Before you advocate for Lucas Ribeiro to play for Bafana Bafana just take two minutes of your time and look at the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 on naturalisation.
— Mlungisi Ntshangase (@Mlu__N7) November 7, 2024
After reading you understand that Ribeiro has not yet met some of the requirements for naturalisation. pic.twitter.com/SkBn5BCaPl
The man Hugo Broos is looking for is Lucas Ribeiro Costa..
— SolMad08 (@Madumetja__M08) November 7, 2024
Make it happen @SAFA_net please! pic.twitter.com/gt6aOJFAUE
