Johannesburg — A new authorised biography of South African football legend Benni McCarthy is set for release in February 2026, promising an unflinching and deeply personal account of a career that redefined the possibilities for footballers from the Cape Flats and beyond.
Titled Benni, the book is published by Pan Macmillan South Africa and co-authored with veteran football writer Mark Gleeson. It traces McCarthy’s journey from the gang-ravaged streets of Hanover Park to the grandest stages of European football, revealing little-known stories behind the trophies, records and global acclaim.
“Looking back at my career, the moment that defined me most was moving to Ajax Amsterdam,” McCarthy said in an interview ahead of the book’s release. “Growing up in Hanover Park and suddenly finding myself in Europe was overwhelming. I had to grow up very fast.”
That sense of being thrust into unfamiliar territory is a central theme of the biography. While McCarthy’s achievements are well documented—he remains the only South African to have won the UEFA Champions League and is Bafana Bafana’s all-time leading goal scorer—the book deliberately slows the narrative, revisiting the formative moments that shaped him long before international stardom.
“For me, Ajax was everything,” McCarthy reflects in the book. “A new language, a new culture, new food, and a completely different pace of life. I had to fend for myself. That was the moment I truly became a man.”
Raised in a community defined by limited opportunity and pervasive gang violence, McCarthy learned early that raw talent alone was not enough. The biography explores how resilience, discipline and self-belief became survival tools as much as footballing virtues.
“Where I come from, nothing is given to you,” McCarthy says. “You fight for your dreams. You work harder than everyone else, because if you don’t, the door closes.”
The decision to produce an authorised biography was driven by a desire to speak beyond football. McCarthy hopes the book will resonate with readers facing adversity in any field.
“I want people to see that someone from a disadvantaged background, with nothing but a dream, can change their life,” he said. “If my story can empower even one person, then it is worth telling.”
Benni does not shy away from the darker chapters of his career. McCarthy writes candidly about isolation, mental pressure and racism, particularly during his years in Europe. These experiences, he says, tested him as much off the pitch as elite competition did on it.
“Racism is a harsh reality,” he notes. “It is mentally draining, but overcoming it gives you a strength that stays with you forever.”
The book also examines the personal cost of success. As McCarthy’s profile grew, so did public scrutiny and expectation. Fame, he reflects, brings respect and opportunity—but also immense pressure.
“Your whole life changes,” he says. “People look at you differently. You become a role model to millions. It’s a powerful feeling, but it comes with responsibility.”
Gleeson, who has followed McCarthy’s career since his teenage years, said the writing process revealed layers often hidden by headlines and public debate.
“This is Benni telling his own story,” Gleeson said. “My role was to give it structure and context. Even for someone who thought they knew his career well, there were many moments that were surprising and revealing.”
Among the most anticipated sections are McCarthy’s reflections on his complex relationship with the national team, Bafana Bafana—a topic that has long divided fans. The biography offers his personal account of carrying national expectations and navigating controversy, rather than relying on second-hand narratives.
The book also charts McCarthy’s transition from player to coach, exploring how leadership, mentorship and growth became the next phase of his football life.
“Football has always been about learning for me,” McCarthy said. “Every stage teaches you something new.”
Adding further weight to the biography is a foreword written by José Mourinho, the legendary manager who signed McCarthy for FC Porto and guided him to Champions League glory.
For Gleeson, the book’s significance extends beyond sport. “This is the story of an African footballer who broke through to the highest level against the odds,” he said. “It is a journey millions dream of, and it will inspire far beyond the pitch.”
McCarthy agrees. “A lot has been said about me over the years,” he said. “This is my story, in my own words. I am proud of what I have achieved, and I am ready to share it with the world.” – IOL
