Mamelodi Sundowns striker Bryan Leon has been criticised by supporters after scoring only three goals in nine matches this season, following a prolific start to his career in the Premier Soccer League.
The 26-year-old Colombian joined Sundowns in January and made an immediate impact, finding the net 15 times in 26 appearances during his first campaign with the Brazilians.
His finishing prompted suggestions that Leon could have challenged the 30-goal mark if he had begun the 2025/26 season with Sundowns. However, he has struggled to maintain that level this term and has also missed several clear opportunities.
The change in form has led fans to question what has happened since the striker arrived at Chloorkop.
Local football journalist Lorenz Kohler raised the issue on X, where supporters offered various explanations for Leon’s performances. Some claimed his alleged involvement on TikTok had become a distraction, while others argued that opposing teams had worked out how to contain him.
@PAPALONENE wrote: “TikTok…. He spends most of the time there…. He doesn’t sleep; the time difference between South Africa and South America is the cause.”
Another supporter, @Honorabledawgs, focused on Leon’s conduct in the penalty area.
“He’s turning into a rugby player, instead of scoring goals. So many fouls in the opposition box, some unnecessary,” they wrote.
@Mthuli4 suggested Leon may have underestimated the standard of the South African league after making such an impressive start.
“He took our league by storm and started to undermine it, he’s starting to learn now,” the fan posted.
Questions about his social media use were raised again by @RealJAM_, who wrote: “He’s on TikTok lives instead of staying behind at Chloorkop and doing shooting drills.”
Some supporters went further by questioning whether Leon’s early success was based more on effort than technical ability.
“He came in when alot was expected from him and the team was under pressure, he was running like a mad man in the last season and not playing ball. He can’t play so he can’t score,” @Mothupi25Les wrote.
@maverickvaks also accused the forward of becoming more interested in his life away from football.
“The nice life, he become an Instagram influencer now, he’s forgotten why he came here for or maybe he’s just a fraud,” the supporter posted.
@SollyMongs similarly attributed the decline to Leon’s lifestyle, writing: “He’s enjoying SA baddies and TikTok. He forgot his job and he’s not coming back. Yanga is waiting for him. That hunger is gone,”
It remains to be seen whether Bryan Leon can rediscover the form that made him one of the Premier Soccer League’s most effective strikers last season.
