Miguel Reisinho Disputes Cardoso’s Claims Over His Unsuccessful Mamelodi Sundowns Spell
Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Miguel Reisinho has challenged head coach Miguel Cardoso’s suggestion that adaptation difficulties played a role in his unsuccessful spell with the club. The Portuguese midfielder insists that he adjusted well to life in South Africa and says adaptation was never raised as an issue during the season. Reisinho’s comments provide a different perspective on his time at Sundowns and suggest that there may have been other factors behind his limited impact at the club. Speaking to Soccer Laduma, the midfielder expressed surprise at Cardoso’s assessment and defended the way he conducted himself throughout his time in the country. His response has added another layer to the discussion surrounding his departure from the reigning African champions.
Reisinho was particularly puzzled by Cardoso’s suggestion because he believes his transition to South Africa went smoothly. According to the midfielder, nobody raised concerns about his ability to adjust to the country or the environment at Sundowns while the season was underway. He explained that he settled into life in South Africa comfortably and found the country to offer a good quality of life. Having fellow Portuguese player Nuno Santos at Sundowns also helped him become familiar with his new surroundings and provided additional support during the transition. Reisinho therefore believes that adaptation should not be used to explain why his time at the club did not develop as expected.
“He said that? That’s interesting because it’s something that was never really discussed during the season,” Reisinho said when asked about Cardoso’s comments. The midfielder reiterated that he adapted well to life in South Africa and appeared surprised that the issue had been presented differently. His response suggests that there was no direct conversation between himself and the coaching staff about adaptation problems during the campaign. Reisinho also made it clear that he was prepared to deal with the challenges that came with moving to a different country and football environment. Rather than viewing South Africa as a difficult place to settle, he described his experience positively and credited Nuno Santos with helping him adjust.
Despite his positive experience away from the pitch, Reisinho made it clear that he has strong professional principles that he will not compromise. The midfielder explained that his career has been shaped by certain values that have influenced both his conduct as a footballer and his development as a person. He stressed that professionalism, respect and honesty remain central to the way he approaches his career. Reisinho also suggested that he remained professional even when he encountered circumstances that were different from what he had previously experienced. His comments indicate that while he does not want to publicly detail every disagreement or difficult situation, he is determined to defend his reputation as a professional.
“There are values and principles that I learned throughout my career, which helped me become the professional and the person I am today,” Reisinho explained. He said those principles are not negotiable and that he has consistently tried to conduct himself professionally regardless of the circumstances surrounding him. The midfielder specifically identified professionalism, respect and honesty as values that he continues to follow. He also chose not to provide extensive details about specific situations at Sundowns, indicating that he would rather avoid turning his departure into a public dispute. That decision allows him to challenge Cardoso’s comments without revealing every detail of what may have happened behind the scenes.
Reisinho’s comments are particularly notable because his time at Sundowns ended without him establishing himself as a regular and influential figure in the team. Sundowns operate with significant competition for places, and players joining the club face the challenge of adapting to demanding tactical and physical expectations. Reisinho’s failure to secure a consistent role ultimately contributed to an unsuccessful spell, but the midfielder clearly does not believe his difficulties should be attributed to adapting to South Africa. His version of events places greater emphasis on professional circumstances and footballing issues rather than his life away from the pitch. Without further details from either side, it remains difficult to determine exactly what prevented the midfielder from making a bigger impact at the club.
The situation also highlights the challenges that can arise when a player and coach have different perspectives on a spell at a club. Cardoso has previously spoken about the importance of players adapting to the demands of Sundowns and the environment around the team. Reisinho, however, believes he met the challenge of moving to South Africa and adjusted well to his surroundings. His comments suggest that he feels his footballing qualities and professional approach should be considered separately from the question of cultural or personal adaptation. By declining to discuss specific incidents, he has also avoided making direct accusations against the coach or club. The midfielder has instead focused on correcting what he considers an inaccurate explanation for his difficulties at Sundowns.
Away from the disagreement over his Sundowns spell, Reisinho also addressed speculation linking him with Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca. The Portuguese midfielder confirmed that there had been an initial approach to establish whether he was available. However, he stressed that the interest did not develop into detailed negotiations or a concrete transfer discussion. Being linked with a club of Raja Casablanca’s stature is naturally flattering for a player looking for his next opportunity, particularly given the club’s history and large supporter base. Reisinho’s comments nevertheless suggest that no immediate move to the Moroccan side should be assumed based solely on the initial contact.
“It is always flattering to be linked with a club like Raja Casablanca,” Reisinho said, acknowledging the stature and history of the Moroccan club. He explained that the initial approach was focused on determining whether he was available, but there had been no further progress since then. This clarification is important because transfer rumours can quickly develop into reports of advanced negotiations even when discussions have barely started. For Reisinho, the situation currently appears to be at the level of initial interest rather than an imminent transfer. His next move therefore remains uncertain as he considers his options following his departure from Sundowns.
The midfielder’s comments provide a clearer picture of how he views the end of his time at Mamelodi Sundowns. While Cardoso’s assessment suggested that adaptation may have contributed to his difficulties, Reisinho strongly disputes that explanation and insists he settled well in South Africa. He has also made it clear that he intends to protect the professional values that have guided his career while choosing not to disclose the details of specific situations. His comments about Raja Casablanca add another element to his current situation, although there is no indication that a transfer to the Moroccan club is close. Reisinho now appears focused on the next stage of his career, while his contrasting account with Cardoso leaves questions about what ultimately prevented his Sundowns spell from reaching expectations.
