Given the consistent form of Mamelodi Sundowns forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Soccer Laduma analyses whether he's the best South American to play in the PSL.
Costa has raised the bar for South Americans coming to the PSL, particularly at Sundowns, as just over half-way through his second season, he has risen arguably above all players in the league.
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Masandawana traditionally have had the most South Americans in the league, since they scouted and signed the likes of Rafael Dudemal, Vincente Principiano and Jose Torrealba back in the 2005-2006 season.
Even though Torrealba stood out among three back then, former attacker Gaston Sirino seemed to have taken the bar higher after he was signed under Pitso Mosimane in 2018.
Statistically, Torrealba only scored nine goals in 27 matches for Sundowns, in a two-year spell from 2005 to 2007.
The Venezuelan is fondly remembered for his combinations with the likes of Surprise Moriri and Josta Dladla.
In fact, before Sirino's arrival, Leonardo Castro had a memorable time at the Brazilians, notably winning the CAF Champions League with a famous 'CBD' combination along Khama Billiat and Keagan Dolly.
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However, in terms of numbers, the Colombian scored 16 goals in 62 appearances from 2015 to 2018.
The Uruguayan, currently at Kaizer Chiefs, is the South American that spent the most time at Chloorkop, from January 2018 to June 2024, six-and-half years.
Sirino's latter years, however, were marred by controversy, which limited him to 41 goals in 202 matches for The Brazilians.
Sentiment aside and judging purely on stats, Costa appears to be the best South American past or current at Masandawana and by extension in the PSL.
The Brazilian has scored 32 goals in under two seasons (with the current campaign left with just over three months) at The Tshwane giants.
The 26-year-old could actually surpass the 41 goals scored by Sirino in six-and-half years at Sundowns in the current term, should his form continue.
