10 things you probably didn’t know about Benni McCarthy

We all know that Benni McCarthy is enjoying life at Old Trafford in the Man United technical team, but there are a few other things about the Bafana legend which aren't common knowledge.

Sep 6, 2022 - 08:00
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10 things you probably didn’t know about Benni McCarthy

For example, did you know that he speaks four languages?

Benni McCarthy scored 18 goals in 36 appearances in the 2006-07 EPL season for Blackburn, earning him cult hero status at Ewood Park. Image via Twitter.

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10 things you might not know about Benni McCarthy

  • Benedict Saul “Benni” McCarthy was born in Cape Town and grew up in Hanover Park.
  • Benni McCarthy is the first and only South African winner of the UEFA Champions League.
  • On top of that, he also won domestic league titles in Portugal, the Netherlands and South Africa.
  • McCarthy is Bafana Bafana’s all-time leading scorer with 31 strikes for the national team.
  • Benni made his debut for South Africa in 1997 as a teenager under legendary manager Clive Barker.
  • His playing career in Europe took him to Ajax, Celta Vigo, FC Porto, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United.
  • After he guided AmaZulu into the CAF Champions League in 2021, Benni was unofficially given the nickname Mr Benni Makathini, Zulu Warrior.
  • Benni speaks four languages fluently. Namely, English, Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese.
  • McCarthy scored 18 goals in the 2006-07 Premier League season for Blackburn, ending as the second-top scorer. A certain Cristiano Ronaldo scored 17 goals in that campaign.
  • In October 2007, Benni McCarthy finished a sequence of scoring with 10 consecutive shots on target in the Premier League.

Finally, how can we ever forget when Benni collaborated with TKZee back in 1998?

Never forget. Benni’s music career wasn’t long but it was certainly memorable. Via @rathipa_rampedi / Twitter.

It’s great to see one of South Africa’s favourite sons excelling in a senior coaching role at one of Europe’s most followed clubs. The streets will never forget what Benni did on a football pitch.

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