Lucas Ribeiro Scores Stunner Named Best Goal of 2025 Club World Cup

Lucas Ribeiro, the Brazilian forward for Cultural Leonesa, scored the best goal of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup during Mamelodi Sundowns' match against Borussia Dortmund. Less than 10 minutes into the game, he received a pass from Tashreeq Matthews in midfield, outpaced one defender with his speed, nutmegged a second, and slotted a cross-shot past the goalkeeper. Fans quickly dubbed the Santa Helena de Goiás native "Pelé" for the strike.

Ribeiro, who came through the youth ranks at Pinheiros, has netted Cultural Leonesa's last three goals at Estadi Reino de León, earning the team seven points. The side, managed by José Ángel "Cuco" Ziganda, views the forward as a key asset with a release clause exceeding €2 million. Interest has emerged from Johor in Malaysia and Raja Casablanca.

This Saturday at 4:15pm, Cultural Leonesa travels to Encamp's Nou Estadi de la FAF for a crucial Lliga Hypermotion clash against FC Andorra. Both teams sit on 24 points, holding 14th and 15th place in the battle for survival. Last season, they met in Primera RFEF as promotion hopefuls; now, different coaches lead them with contrasting ambitions—Ferran Costa at Andorra and Raúl Llona previously at Leonesa.

Ribeiro's path to Andorra's league has been nomadic. He debuted in European football with Valenciennes in 2017, then moved to Belgium's RE Virton in third division for 2019-20. Strong performances earned a stint at Royal Charleroi SC, including UEFA Europa League qualifiers, followed by loans to RWDM Brussels and Royal Excelsior Mouscron, before Waasland-Beveren bought him outright. In 2022, he joined Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, winning the league title.

Now starring for the Qatari Aspire Academy-linked club, Ribeiro sealed a 4-2 Copa del Rey win over FC Andorra in the second round, scoring in the 89th minute to eliminate them. Cultural Leonesa advanced past Primera División's Levante via Rafa Tresaco's goal and awaits an eighth-finals opponent. The teams last met on October 19, 2024, at Estadi Nacional, where Andorra's Lauti De León and Eneko Satrústegui struck late for victory.