Nuno Santos of Portugal arrived at the Sundowns looking to add a touch more flair to South African football. He’s steadily earned his role as one of Sundowns’ most important creative forces since joining club nicknamed The Brazilians in September 2025.
His stint in the MLS could not have prepared him for South African football, though. And since arriving from Vitória de Guimarães, Santos has already had an impact on Sundowns’ campaign in the CAF Champions League. There’s still room for growth in the South African Premiership, but his debut season has made it clear that the Portuguese midfielder will not merely be another foreigner at Sundowns. Instead, he’s already sparked comparisons with previous European imports like Oupa Manyisa, Gaston Sirino and Uche Pandiani. There’s still much to do before he’s mentioned in the same breath as those players, but Santos is already giving fans and pundits a glimpse of what he can bring to Sundowns.
Born in Portugal, made in Africa
With stints at Portugal’s Vitória de Guimarães and MLS’s Charlotte FC on his resume, Santos arrived in Pretoria with senior footballing experience around the world. He was ready for Sundowns. In fact, Sundowns had previously tapped into a market with which they’ve found success: Portugal.
Coach Miguel Cardoso came through the Portuguese coaching system, working at six different clubs in his homeland, including Porto, Braga and Sporting. He then achieved considerable success abroad, especially alongside highly reputed manager Paulo Fonseca. Cardoso had stints in Spain, Ukraine, France and Tunisia before arriving at Mamelodi Sundowns in December 2024.
While at the club, Cardoso has overseen a seamless integration of European football concepts into Sundowns’ play while maintaining the physicality and flair that make African football so popular around the world.
The stars aligned when Santos arrived. Joining fellow Portuguese player Miguel Reisinho at Chloorkop, Santos had some experience with the language and South African football when he signed for The Brazilians. Santos plays in a position where the team needs him. In his case, that happens to be just about anywhere Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso needs a creative presence.
In an interview with AXN Sports, Santos attributed some of his quick adaptation to playing under Cardoso. While Sundowns were far from undone tactically by Santos’ arrival, having a Portuguese coach eased the transition into South African football. The same could be said of other Portuguese imports at Sundowns over the years. Carlos Queiroz once coached the South African national team, and Miguel Cardoso works diligently to impart his ideas on the team.
Goals from Goa to Champions League
While his versatility allows him to fit into any number of positions at Chloorkop, Cardoso wanted Santos to influence matches for Sundowns as often as possible. Whether those chances come from open play or set pieces, Santos has an eye for the spectacular that fits perfectly into Sundowns’ DNA.
Appearances in both MLS and South Africa also meant that Santos had proven he could produce in unfamiliar settings. That he’s willing to do dirty work when needed but can be lethal in the final third has helped him stand out early in his Sundowns career.
He has also shown an ability to make things happen quickly. His Champions League campaign so far is a perfect example. Through eight matches in the competition, Santos has three goals and five assists. In other words, he’s recorded eight goal contributions in eight matches during his maiden CAF Champions League campaign, which ended in triumph for Santos and Cardoso as Sundowns lifted the trophy earlier this year.
Santos has accumulated MLS, South African and Primeira Liga experience as he heads into the second season of his Sundowns tenure. As he gears up for the 2026/27 campaign and a new chapter with The Brazilians, those lessons will continue to influence his adaptation. For now, fans can enjoy what they’ve seen so far. Because if the first chapter is any indication, the next few years with Sundowns will allow Santos to write his name among the greatest Portuguese players ever to set foot in Africa.
