Miguel Cardoso makes bold confession and opens up on Arthur Sales' Mamelodi Sundowns future - 'I said, this guy I don’t like him'

Brazilian striker Arthur Sales struggled for goals during his early days at Mamelodi Sundowns after joining the Tshwane giants before the start of the current season.

The 22-year-old has managed to score nine goals in 36 matches across all competitions, with three goals coming in the last two games.

After taking over from Manqoba Mngqithi as Sundowns coach in December 2024, Miguel Cardoso has admitted he did not have faith in Sales, but his views have since changed.

“When I arrived, he was coming from an injury and another thing, playing in South Africa and in [Belgium] is not the same,” said Cardoso on Metro FM as per FARPost.

“There are a lot of things that the players need to adapt to. And also, the way he is, we also need to understand him.

“Believe me, in the beginning, I said, ‘This guy, I don’t like him, I don’t like the way he trains’. But I kept loving him, I had to believe in him, I have to believe in my players. When I say, ‘I don’t like you’, it’s a temporary thing. I mean, I don’t like what you’re doing at the moment," added the Portuguese.

“I also perceived him as a number nine at first, but what’s interesting is that we see a Sales that is aggressive without the ball, pressing and running everywhere.

“We had to understand what kind of behaviour we want from him on the pitch and how to build the team, not around him but complement him more.  “And I think in the moment, we’re having a wonderful tool in him.”

Sales has been fighting for a starting spot in a Sundowns strikeforce which includes the likes of proven attackers Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Peter Shalulile and Iqraam Rayners.

That gives him a challenge to maintain his place in the team ahead of next season.

It also remains to be seen if Cardoso will sign another forward ahead of next season, given the material already at his disposal upfront.

Sales is yet to score in the Caf Champions League and would be hoping to grab his first goal where it matters the most when Sundowns host Pyramids in the first leg of the continental competition's final on May 24.

But before that, Sales has a chance to increase his PSL tally when Masandawana clash with Magesi FC on Sunday.