Marcelo Allende statistics underline Miguel Cardoso praise at Mamelodi Sundowns

Miguel Cardoso’s praise of Marcelo Allende’s contribution to Mamelodi Sundowns is supported by the midfielder’s exceptional record of appearances and playing time.

Allende is now in his fifth season with Sundowns after joining the club in a big-money transfer from Uruguayan side Montevideo City Torque. The Chile international has continued to establish himself as a regular despite working under a succession of coaches, including Manqoba Mngqithi, Rulani Mokwena and Cardoso.

He has averaged 44 appearances in each of the past four seasons, a notable achievement for a midfielder. The 27-year-old’s numbers appear likely to improve further this campaign, having featured in all nine matches played by Sundowns so far.

Allende has made more appearances and accumulated more minutes than any other Sundowns outfield player this season.

Since Cardoso was appointed on 10 December 2024, Allende has played in 89 of the Portuguese coach’s 97 matches in charge. Only Tashreeq Matthews has matched that total.

Allende leads the club’s outfield players for minutes under Cardoso, with 6,905. The only Sundowns player to have spent longer on the pitch during that period is goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who has played 7,168 minutes.

Although Matthews has also made 89 appearances under Cardoso, his total playing time is significantly lower at 5,355 minutes.

Cardoso believes Allende’s consistency over several seasons should have earned him greater individual recognition. The Sundowns manager also suggested that the midfielder’s contribution has sometimes been overlooked when awards have gone to players in other positions.

“For me, it’s a very surprising thing that Marcelo is performing consistently in South Africa for so many years and still hasn’t received an award for midfielder of the season, especially when we see a winger receiving that trophy.

“But it’s also something that is in the past.

“What we need to think about is what we are going to do this season so that in the end, we put ourselves in the position where we want to be.

“And no one at Sundowns has a big interest in fighting for individual trophies unless those trophies mean that the team did well.

“And then we accept individuality, of course,” said Cardoso in his most recent remarks on Allende.

The midfielder’s continued selection under Mngqithi and Mokwena, both during periods when they were in sole charge and when they worked in different coaching arrangements, as well as under Cardoso, reflects his importance to the squad.

His durability has also been a key feature of his time at Sundowns. An average of 44 matches across the previous four seasons, followed by an appearance in each of the club’s first nine games of the current campaign, has made Allende one of the most regularly used players in the team.

Cardoso’s comments therefore come alongside clear evidence of Allende’s value. While the midfielder has yet to win a midfielder-of-the-season award, his appearance and minute totals show how consistently he has been trusted at Sundowns.

Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images