Benni McCarthy Names Michael Laudrup as the Greatest Player He Ever Played With
South African football legend Benni McCarthy has played alongside some of the world’s finest talents during his illustrious career.
Yet, the former Bafana Bafana striker and current Kenya head coach says one name stands above the rest: Michael Laudrup.
McCarthy, who remains South Africa’s only UEFA Champions League winner after lifting the trophy with FC Porto in 2004, reflected on his early years in Europe and the influence of the Danish maestro.
“The Greatest Player I’ve Ever Played With”
Speaking to Pulse Sports, McCarthy recalled his days at Ajax Amsterdam, where he had the chance to share the dressing room with Laudrup between 1997 and 1999. The experience, he said, left a lasting impression on him both as a footballer and as a person.
“I had the honour to play with Michael Laudrup when I was at Ajax, a young player coming through, and you see the professionalism.
“He was the first ever player to have made the switch from Real Madrid to Barcelona and then back to Real Madrid. Never has anything like that even happened, and he was one of those players who made the switch between the two giants of world football,” McCarthy said.
Praising Laudrup’s Vision and Intelligence
McCarthy went on to describe Laudrup as an artist with the ball, highlighting his intelligence, technical ability, and vision on the pitch.
“The things that he could do with a ball, the vision, the skills, and the intelligence — oh wow, I’ve never seen anything like it.
“If you’re a 19-year-old kid and you play with somebody like that, you learn what real football is about. If you don’t learn from him, then football is not your sport,” McCarthy said.
A Tribute to a Football Icon
Now a coach himself, McCarthy often credits the players he encountered in Europe for shaping his understanding of the game. His admiration for Laudrup reflects not only respect for a football legend but also the influence that great teammates can have on a young player’s journey.
“I had the pleasure and honour to play with Michael Laudrup, and he was the greatest player I’ve played with,” McCarthy concluded.
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The post “He Was on Another Level”: Benni McCarthy Reveals the Football Icon Who Inspired Him Most appeared first on iHarare News.
