León reveals what lured him to Sundowns, and speaks on Al Ali challenge
Brayan León didn’t just join Mamelodi Sundowns for a new league. He joined for the biggest stages.
Speaking to Radio 2000 ahead of Saturday’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup clash with Al-Ahli Saudi at Loftus Versfeld, the Colombian striker said Sundowns’ habit of lining up against the world’s elite was a major reason he left Independiente Medellín in January.
He has wasted little time proving the move right. In 25 appearances across the Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League, León has scored 15 goals.
Five came in Africa’s top club competition — including one in each leg of the semi-final win over Espérance — as Sundowns claimed their first continental title in a decade. The Club World Cup sealed it for him.
“It is definitely one of those reasons, and everyone knows Sundowns now who went to the Club World Cup,” León said.
“Playing the way they did against Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense. You could tell that this is a top team.
“That on its own was showing the direction that the club was taking for me to be part of the team and helping the team to win the Champions League.”
Now comes the next test. Captain Ronwen Williams has already set the target: two more wins, then Paris Saint-Germain in the final. For León, Al-Ahli is a different kind of fight.
“This is another level of being African champions. Now, we go play other champions of other continents and it’s a high level,” he said.
“This is a top game that I’m about to play. Champions versus champions of the continents. It will be the highest level that I’ve played and I’m ready for the game.”
