Miguel Cardoso admits he didn't like his R63m player at first!

The sun-baked training pitches at Chloorkop bore witness to an unlikely footballing metamorphosis this season. When Portuguese tactician Miguel Cardoso first laid eyes on Arthur Sales, the Brazilian's hefty price tag seemed at odds with what the coach saw before him - a player struggling to adapt, his movements still carrying the hesitation of recent injury.

"I'll be honest - I didn't like him at first," Cardoso confessed during a revealing interview, his words carrying the weight of hard-earned perspective. The admission would have shocked Sundowns faithful who now see Sales as integral to their continental ambitions. But what followed was a masterclass in man-management, as Cardoso transformed initial skepticism into patient mentorship.

Through the early weeks, the coach recognized something crucial - this wasn't about building around Sales, but rather unlocking the spaces where his mercurial talents could shine brightest. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the 22-year-old began repaying that faith. Training sessions that once drew frowns now produced moments of magic, his growing confidence mirroring Sundowns' own ascendance.

Cardoso's reflections extended to other South American imports navigating the unique pressures of South African football. For Mattias Esquivel, the challenge proved different but no less daunting - arriving mid-stream into a team already in full flow, with precious few training opportunities to state his case. Then there's Marcelo Allende, the Chilean conjurer whose subtle genius still feels underappreciated in local circles. "An absolute marvel" Cardoso calls him, the praise leaving no doubt about his standing within the squad.

As Sales now prepares for another continental showdown, his journey stands as testament to football's most enduring truth - that talent alone rarely tells the full story. Sometimes it takes a coach willing to look beyond first impressions, and a player brave enough to reinvent himself under foreign skies. The Arthur Sales who once drew Cardoso's doubts now wears the Sundowns yellow with the swagger of a man who's earned his place the hard way.