Bafana Bafana legend Lucas Radebe received a warm welcome on his return to Leeds United where he enjoys a cult status following his remarkable career at the club.
Radebe, whose popularity at Leeds United is still at an all-time high despite his final match for the English side coming 19 years ago, paid a visit to the club and met the players whom he had a word of encouragement with before also talking to manager Daniel Farke.
He also had time to go down memory lane about his defensive masterclass on Chelsea forward Gianfranco Zola when his man-marking foiled the revered Italian in a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge in December 1996.
Why was Lucas Radebe back at Leeds United?
“Great to be back @LUFC meeting players and a session with the academy. Really treasure this part of my life,” Radebe posted on X on Thursday.
Radebe, one of Africa’s most revered defenders, played for Leeds for 10 seasons between 1994 and 2005, and would later captain the side to great success.
He was part of the Leeds team that finished fourth in the Premier League in the 1998-99 season before improving to third the following campaign, to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Radebe was captain when the club had an impressive campaign in Europe, reaching the semi-final of the Champions League, and was awarded the FIFA Fair Play Award at the end of the 1999-2000 season.
Ex-Kaizer Chiefs defender is a cult hero at Elland Road
By this time, his stock had risen greatly and he had attracted interest from Leeds’ bitter rivals Manchester United, Italian giants AC Milan and AS Roma.
He, however, shocked fans when he turned down an opportunity to move to United, choosing to stay at Leeds, which endeared him further to the club’s supporters.
The former Kaizer Chiefs defender was known for his great ability on the ball, added to his impressive tackles and was never afraid to put his body on the line to snuff out danger.
In 2008, Radebe’s popularity was put on display when a local brewery in Yorkshire named their beer after him, following an overwhelming vote from Leeds fans and in August this year, a supporter honoured the former defender by naming his newborn son after him.
