Former Mamelodi Sundowns Star Hits Back at Miguel Cardoso After Leaving PSL Giants This Summer

• Reisinho pushed back against Cardoso's suggestion that he struggled to adapt to life in South Africa after leaving Sundowns
• The Portuguese midfielder hinted that deeper issues around his values and professionalism drove his departure from Chloorkop
• Reisinho's exit leaves Sundowns short in midfield, prompting the club to move for former Kaizer Chiefs star Thabo Cele

Miguel Reisinho has fired back at Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso, disputing the Portuguese coach's version of why the 27-year-old midfielder failed to make a lasting mark at Chloorkop. Reisinho's rebuttal suggests the story behind his exit runs far deeper than a simple culture clash.

Reisinho joined Sundowns last year from Portuguese club Boavista, but after just 14 appearances, two goals, and one assist, he was shown the door after a single season. Cardoso publicly attributed the midfielder's struggles to difficulties embracing life in South Africa, saying players who refuse to immerse themselves in the country's culture inevitably find things harder.

"Regarding players, you need to be open-hearted to adapt to a country that is completely different… you need to embrace the difference and enjoy it," Cardoso said. "If you start denying everything — you don't dance in the locker room, you don't absorb the things that are so beautiful in South Africa — it will be more difficult for you daily."

## Reisinho Disputes Cardoso's Account

The midfielder told Soccer Laduma that Cardoso's characterisation caught him off guard, partly because the subject never came up during the season itself.

"He said that? That's interesting because it's something that was never really discussed during the season. As I said before, I adapted very well to life in South Africa," Reisinho said.

He insisted that the real reasons for his departure centred on his professional principles rather than any inability to settle into a new country.

"There are values and principles that I learned throughout my career, which helped me become the professional and the person I am today. Those are things I will never compromise on. I have always been professional in every sense of the word, and I adapted well to the circumstances that came my way, even when some of them were not as normal as what I had been used to," he explained.

## What Really Drove Reisinho Out of Sundowns?

While deliberately vague on specifics, Reisinho made clear that certain situations at the club conflicted with his standards of professionalism and respect.

"What I can say is that I will always stand by my values, professionalism, respect, honesty and the way I conduct myself. Those are principles I have always followed throughout my career and will continue to follow. I prefer not to go into more detail about specific situations," he said.

With Reisinho gone and the club also mourning the death of Jayden Adams, Sundowns have moved to address their midfield needs by bringing in former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele.

Source: Briefly News