Benni McCarthy reflects on emotional Champions League clash with childhood heroes

South African football legend Benni McCarthy has recounted his emotional UEFA Champions League encounter with Manchester United 22 years ago.

McCarthy, who wrote about the match in his autobiography Benni, which was launched on Thursday, is a lifelong Manchester United supporter.

During the last-16 knockout stage match, Manchester United slumped to a 2–1 loss against FC Porto after McCarthy netted goals in each half.

Speaking on CapeTalk's Good Morning Cape Town show with Lester Kiewit, McCarthy said it was a significant encounter because his friend and Bafana Bafana teammate, Quinton Fortune, scored for United in the first half.

"When I saw Quinton, I was in my element. So I just wanted to talk to my broetjie, man, and he was having none of it, and I thought, 'Come on, broer, we playing... look where we are... two Capetonians, you know.'"

McCarthy recalled the moment Fortune scored for Manchester United.

"When he scored, it infuriated me. I was happy for Quinny because he scored and Man U took the lead. So I'm just like, 'God, please help me just to get my goal also because if I score against Man United, maybe that might interest them.'"

McCarthy went on to be the only South African to win the Champions League with Porto that year.

While his dream to play for Manchester United was never fulfilled, he became the club's strikers' coach in 2022, adding to his long list of international football achievements.