12th November – Footballing Birthdays
Former Brazilian striker Vava was born on this day back in 1934. He played in two World Cups for his national team (1958 and 1962) and won the tournament on both occasions.
Vava scored in both of those finals, scoring nine goals in total over those two competitions. He ended his international career with 15 goals in 20 appearances.
Vava passed away in 2002 at the age of 67.
Former South Africa international Benni McCarthy turned 47 today. The former striker spent five years in England, where he played for both Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United.
McCarthy won 79 caps for South Africa between 1997 and 2012, scoring 31 goals. He joined Manchester United in 2022 to become first-team coach but left the club over the summer.
Athletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Lemar is 29 today. The Frenchman has won 27 caps for his country and previously attracted interest from Arsenal. He joined Athletico from Monaco back in 2018.
Nedum Onuoha celebrates his 38th birthday today. He spent the first eight years of his career at Manchester CIty before joining Queens Park Rangers in 2012, where he remained until 2018.
He spent the 2010/11 season on loan at Sunderland during his time at Manchester City and ended his career in the MLS for Real Salt Lake.
Today is Kevin Ratcliffe’s 64th birthday. He was captain of the successful Everton side of the 1980s, winning two league championships, an FA Cup, the Cup Winners Cup and four consecutive Charity Shields.
Ratcliffe won 59 caps for the Welsh national team and after his playing career was over, he managed Chester City and Shrewsbury Town.
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