R450m? All of Benni McCarthy's transfer fees corrected for inflation

Benni McCarthy’s staggering accumulated transfer fees corrected for inflation

The priciest man in South African football history? Surely.

Benni McCarthy Man United Champions League

Benni would be a solid choice for the Bafana job at some stage. Image: The Sun

Benni McCarthy is still the only South African to win the UEFA Champions League. Over the years, the Bafana Bafana icon commanded some massive transfer fees.

Benni McCarthy collected big transfer fees

Also, remember that these fees would be significantly higher if corrected for inflation and aligned with current numbers. €6m back in 1999 was an awful lot of money and is closer to €7.7m in today’s terms. That was the value of his switch from Ajax to Celta Vigo. He also made other big moves including Celta Vigo to Porto, Porto to Blackburn and Blackburn to West Ham. The total of all those moves, corrected for inflation, is €21.7m or R450 Million. Benni’s glittering career certainly reflected the investment in him by some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

BENNI THE BAFANA BAFANA LEGEND

First and only South African UEFA Champions League; winner with Porto in 2004.
Two-time Primeira Liga winner with Porto.
Dutch Eredivisie champion with Ajax Amsterdam in 1998.
All-time leading scorer for Bafana Bafana with 31 goals from 80 caps.
Until 2023 when Lyle Foster made the switch to Burnley, Benni was the most expensive South African footballer of all time. He moved from Ajax to Celta Vigo for €6m in 1999. That’s a lot of cash for the 20th century!
Benni Scored 18 goals in 36 Premier League appearances in the 2006-07 season.
Champion of South Africa with Orlando Pirates in 2011-12.
Nedbank Cup and MTN8 winner in 2011, also with Pirates.