MZANSI soccer fans are in for a sizzling treat in 2026 as Pan Macmillan South Africa gears up to release Benni, an authorised biography of one of Mzansi's greatest-ever soccer stars, Benni McCarthy.
Written in partnership with legendary football journalist Mark Gleeson, the book is set to hit shelves in February 2026, and excitement is already building across the country.
Benni isn't just any footballer - he's the only South African to win the Uefa Champions League and still holds the record as Bafana Bafana's all-time top goal scorer.
His journey from the tough, gang-infested streets of Hanover Park in the Western Cape to lifting trophies on the world's biggest stages is the stuff of legends.
Pan Macmillan MD Terry Morris said the company is honoured to bring Benni's raw and powerful story to the world.
"We are incredibly proud to publish Benni McCarthy's authorised biography, written by Mark Gleeson. Benni's journey is one of the most inspiring South African success stories.
"This candid and honest book will resonate deeply with readers, not only because of his sporting success but because of the grit and determination that define him," she said.
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The book pulls back the curtain on Benni's life, diving into the many challenges he had to overcome from dodging gang pressure on the Cape Flats to managing the drama and controversies that followed him throughout his career.
It also unpacks his fiery "love-hate" relationship with Bafana and how he reinvented himself as a respected coach.
Adding even more star power, the foreword is written by none other than José Mourinho - the man who signed Benni at FC Porto and helped guide him to Champions League glory.
"Benni had everything that a coach loves in a player," Mourinho states in the book.
Benni himself is expected to return to Mzansi in early 2026 for a nationwide book tour, something fans will no doubt be buzzing about.
Sharing his excitement, the living legend said this biography finally gives him the chance to tell his story his way.
"Growing up in Hanover Park, you learn to be tough and fight for your dreams. People have had plenty to say about me over the years. This is my story from my own perspective. I'm proud of what I've achieved, and I can't wait to share it with the world," he said.
With a story packed with grit, triumph and honesty, Benni is shaping up to be one of the biggest sports books South Africa has ever seen.
