Arthur Sales earns rare Brazilian recognition as Mamelodi Sundowns eye Intercontinental Cup clash

Mamelodi Sundowns forward Arthur Sales has received unusual recognition in Brazil as his club prepare for a possible meeting with one of the country’s leading teams in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Sundowns have reached the semi-finals, which will be played as the Challenger Cup in December, and there is currently a 60% chance they will face Brazilian opposition.

Three of the four semi-finalists in the Copa Libertadores are from Brazil: CR Flamengo, Fluminense and Palmeiras. Argentina’s Estudiantes de La Plata complete the line-up.

The Copa Libertadores winners will first play CONCACAF champions Toluca FC in the Derby of the Americas. The winner of that match will then face Sundowns, before the finalists meet European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final, which is likely to take place in Qatar in December.

Brazilian confidence is high that one of their clubs will progress far enough to meet Sales and his Sundowns team.

GloboEsporte, Brazil’s biggest sports media outlet, has given the 23-year-old forward a share of the attention in recent weeks, highlighting his role in Sundowns’ run and his comments about the possibility of meeting another Brazilian club.

“We faced Fluminense and it was great to have a Brazilian team on the other side, it shows that our football is reaching many places and the world is watching us,” Sales was quoted as saying by the Brazilian publication.

Sundowns played Fluminense at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in a match that finished goalless. Sales featured for 30 minutes.

“I hope one of them makes it this far, it will make the competition even more beautiful and competitive,” he said.

“Everything we’re experiencing here is magical, it’s pure joy.

“We’re very close, a real family.

“We know how difficult it is to face teams from other continents, but we’re proving once again that African football has a lot of quality, that the level is high and deserves respect.

“I thank God for the opportunity, my wife, my family, my teammates and, of course, the fans who always create a wonderful atmosphere, and this time was no different.”

Sales is in his third year with Sundowns and has recently returned from injury.

His profile in Brazil was established during his time in the country’s top division with Esporte Clube Bahia. The forward’s connection to Brazilian football has now drawn further attention as Sundowns move closer to a potential Intercontinental Cup meeting with one of the nation’s remaining continental contenders.