Miguel Cardoso Backs Marcelo Allende for Midfielder of the Season Award as Sundowns Star Continues to Shine

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso believes Marcelo Allende deserves greater recognition in the Premier Soccer League after another outstanding performance for the reigning champions. The Chilean midfielder once again proved his importance by producing a decisive display as Sundowns defeated Lamontville Golden Arrows 3-2 to reach the MTN8 final. Allende was named Man of the Match for the second consecutive game, reinforcing Cardoso’s belief that his performances have not received enough individual recognition. The Portuguese coach expressed surprise that Allende has not won the PSL Midfielder of the Season award despite his consistency over several years. Cardoso even questioned the criteria used for the award after seeing wingers receive the prize while a player operating in the heart of midfield has been overlooked.

Allende’s latest performance came at a crucial moment for Sundowns as they battled Golden Arrows for a place in the MTN8 final. The midfielder played a central role in helping the Brazilians navigate a difficult contest against an Arrows side that refused to surrender. Sundowns eventually won the second leg 3-2, completing a 3-3 aggregate draw and advancing on the away-goals rule. Allende scored Sundowns’ second goal in the 77th minute after Antonio van Wyk’s cross created an opportunity inside the penalty area. His goal proved decisive and underlined the attacking influence he continues to bring despite operating primarily from midfield.

Cardoso was particularly impressed by the consistency Allende has shown in recent matches. The coach pointed out that the Chilean had collected another Man of the Match award after receiving the same recognition in the previous match. Such performances have strengthened the argument that Allende should be considered among the leading midfielders in the domestic game. His contribution is not limited to goals because he also helps Sundowns control possession, connect different areas of the pitch and create opportunities in the final third. For a team that relies heavily on technical quality and intelligent movement, Allende’s ability to influence several phases of play makes him an important component of Sundowns’ system.

The coach’s frustration comes from what he sees as a disconnect between Allende’s performances and the individual awards available in the PSL. Cardoso questioned how a player who has consistently performed at a high level in South Africa can remain without a Midfielder of the Season award. He was especially surprised that players operating in wider attacking positions have sometimes received the recognition associated with the midfield category. His comments suggest that he believes the distinction between midfielders and more advanced players has become less clear when individual awards are considered. For Cardoso, Allende’s sustained contribution should make him a strong candidate whenever the league’s best midfielders are assessed.

Allende has been a prominent figure in Sundowns’ dominant era, yet his record in the PSL individual awards remains surprisingly limited. Despite establishing himself as an important member of the reigning champions, he has been nominated for the Midfielder of the Season award only once. That nomination came during the 2024/25 campaign, when he was shortlisted alongside Sundowns teammate Teboho Mokoena and Orlando Pirates midfielder Makhehleni Makhaula. The limited recognition stands in contrast to Allende’s influence within a Sundowns side that has continued to compete successfully on both domestic and continental fronts. His latest performances could renew the debate about whether his contribution has been adequately recognised by individual award voters.

The Chilean’s value becomes clearer when considering the demands placed on Sundowns’ midfielders. The club frequently dominates possession and expects its midfielders to remain comfortable under pressure while also progressing the ball into dangerous areas. Allende possesses the technical ability to operate in tight spaces and the awareness to move possession quickly when opponents attempt to close him down. He can also contribute in attacking areas, as demonstrated by his goal against Golden Arrows. That combination of creativity, control and attacking productivity gives Cardoso plenty of reasons to consider him one of the league’s outstanding midfield performers.

Allende’s importance was also evident in the way Sundowns responded to Golden Arrows’ tactical approach. The hosts attempted to frustrate Sundowns by defending compactly and looking for opportunities to counterattack. That meant the Sundowns midfield had to find ways to maintain possession while creating openings against a disciplined defensive block. Allende helped provide the creativity required to break through that structure and remained influential when the match became increasingly open. His performance eventually earned him the Man of the Match award and further strengthened Cardoso’s public backing of his player.

Despite his strong personal endorsement of Allende, Cardoso made it clear that individual awards are not the main priority at Sundowns. The coach stressed that the club’s culture is built around collective success and winning trophies rather than players pursuing personal accolades. In his view, individual recognition becomes meaningful when it reflects a successful team campaign. This philosophy is consistent with the expectations at Sundowns, where domestic and continental titles remain the primary measures of success. Allende can therefore continue producing strong performances without allowing the pursuit of individual awards to distract him from the club’s wider objectives.

That approach could benefit Allende as Sundowns prepare for another major challenge in the MTN8 final. The victory over Golden Arrows secured a place in the final against Orlando Pirates, creating an opportunity for Sundowns to compete for the first major domestic trophy of the season. Allende is likely to be an important figure in that encounter because his ability to control the midfield could prove crucial against another strong opponent. The final will also provide another opportunity for him to demonstrate why Cardoso believes he belongs among the league’s elite midfielders. A decisive performance on that stage could add further weight to the argument surrounding his individual credentials.

The rivalry with Orlando Pirates makes the final particularly significant because both clubs possess talented midfielders and ambitious trophy targets. Sundowns will need their most influential players to perform consistently if they are to overcome the Buccaneers and lift the MTN8 trophy. Allende’s ability to receive possession under pressure, move the ball intelligently and contribute around the penalty area could become one of the tactical battles to watch. Cardoso will expect him to provide leadership through his technical performance even when the game becomes physically demanding. His contribution could again demonstrate why the coach believes his player deserves greater recognition from the league’s individual award system.

Cardoso’s comments also highlight the broader challenge of evaluating midfielders in modern football. Players are increasingly expected to contribute across multiple phases rather than remaining restricted to traditional positions. A midfielder can be responsible for progressing possession, creating chances, supporting defensive transitions and arriving in the penalty area to score. Allende fits that modern profile because he combines technical creativity with the ability to influence the game further forward. Cardoso’s argument is therefore not simply based on statistics or one standout performance, but on the overall influence Allende has had within one of the country’s most successful teams.

The timing of Cardoso’s praise is also significant because Sundowns have a demanding run of fixtures ahead. The club must balance domestic competition with its international commitments, placing additional pressure on key players. Allende’s ability to maintain his performances during a congested schedule could be crucial to Sundowns’ hopes of competing for multiple trophies. The coaching staff will need to manage his workload carefully while ensuring that he remains available for the most important matches. If he continues producing performances at the level he showed against Golden Arrows, the debate surrounding his place among the PSL’s best midfielders is likely to become even stronger.

For Allende, however, the focus remains on helping Sundowns achieve their collective objectives. The midfielder has already established himself as an important player within a team that regularly competes for domestic and continental honours. His latest Man of the Match award demonstrates the level of influence he can have when Sundowns need a player to make a difference. Whether or not individual award voters eventually recognise him, his performances remain a major part of the team’s success. Cardoso’s public support could also provide additional motivation as Allende continues to lead from midfield during an important stage of the season.

Miguel Cardoso’s backing of Marcelo Allende has reignited the discussion about whether the Sundowns midfielder deserves Midfielder of the Season recognition in the PSL. His consistent performances, technical quality and ability to influence matches from midfield have made him one of the most important players in the Sundowns squad. The fact that he has received consecutive Man of the Match awards only strengthens Cardoso’s argument that Allende deserves greater individual recognition. Yet the coach remains focused on the bigger picture, insisting that team success matters more than personal accolades at Sundowns. With the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates ahead, Allende now has another major stage on which to demonstrate why his coach believes he should be considered among the country’s best midfielders.