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

Nuno Santos at Mamelodi Sundowns

Nuno Santos is a Portuguese midfielder who has been adapting quickly to life and football at Mamelodi Sundowns, turning a new environment into a comfortable home. His move from European football to South Africa has highlighted both his ability to adjust on and off the pitch and the welcoming structure around him at the club.

Supportive environment and language

A crucial factor in his smooth integration has been the presence of Portuguese-speaking staff and teammates at Sundowns. Head coach Miguel Cardoso, fellow Portuguese midfielder Miguel Reisinho, and Brazilian striker Arthur Sales all communicate easily with him in Portuguese, making tactical instructions and daily interactions more natural.

"Having a Portuguese coach makes things simpler. He can guide me on how everything works here."

This shared language has helped Santos understand the club’s culture and expectations more quickly, easing his transition to South African football.

Reasons for moving to Sundowns

Santos describes his decision to join Mamelodi Sundowns as driven by the club’s size, ambition, and the feeling of being genuinely wanted.

"This is the premier club in South Africa, one of the largest in Africa. I sensed that the club genuinely wanted me, and that feeling makes it significantly easier to make such decisions."

He views Sundowns as a top African side where he can compete for major honours while playing a central role in the team.

Adapting to South African and African competitions

Santos notes that the South African league is very different from what he experienced in Portugal, but he is working to adapt as fast as possible. With guidance from the coaching staff and support from his teammates, he has been able to adjust to the tactical demands and physical style of play in the PSL and on the continent.

In CAF Champions League action, he has already delivered standout performances, contributing multiple goals and assists in just a few matches. His early impact has raised expectations that he can help Sundowns compete strongly for continental titles.

Mindset and ambitions

Santos portrays himself as an ambitious player who focuses on continuous improvement and short‑term objectives within a long‑term winning vision.

"It’s quite different; I’m striving to adapt as quickly as possible... But I believe I’m doing fairly well."

"I want to achieve everything. I am someone who always focuses on the next match... one game at a time, and we will reach our goals."

His approach suggests he aims to become a key figure in Sundowns’ midfield while helping the club chase domestic and continental success.

Santos’s rapid adaptation at Sundowns rests on shared language, strong support from Portuguese-speaking colleagues and the club’s ambition, allowing him to impact both the PSL and CAF Champions League from an early stage.

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Yahoo Sports Yahoo Sports — 2025-11-27

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