Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento is enjoying his time with Mamelodi Sundowns as ‘every year the league is a new challenge and very competitive’.

The 33-year-old has been with the Tshwane giants for four-years after joining the club from Brazilians outfit Atletico Monte Azulin 2016.

The former Moreirense FC defender has since gone on to score 13 goals and claimed one assist from 101 appearances across all competitions for Pitso Mosimane’s side.

Nascimento has since reached a milestone at the club after finishing four years with the nine-time Absa Premiership champions.

‘Yes it’s now four years that I am playing for Mamelodi Sundowns, time does fly,’ Nascimento told his club’s official website.

‘I was playing in Portugal when I was approached by Sundowns to come and play here in South Africa. I was living in Europe and my decision was not easy, but I was impressed with South Africa at first sight. Then with Sundowns as a club, the team and its structure.

‘And it gets better with time. I feel that there’s a lot of opportunity to grow. Every year the league is a new challenge and very competitive.

‘It was the second injury and I lost half of the season. But I did the treatment in Brazil, which included efficient physiotherapy, which helped with my recovery.

‘My courage to kick penalties started at my previous club in Portugal and here coach Pitso also trusts me and gives me the opportunity – up to now, and thank God I’ve never missed. My secret is to practice at training and when the situation is real during the match I keep calm, relax, but the butterflies in my stomach are unavoidable.’