“Happy 6th Birthday to My Prince”: Kenyan Coach Benni McCarthy Celebrates Son Lio Romeo

• Kenyan national team coach and Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy celebrated his son Lio Romeo’s 6th birthday on August 6, 2025
• McCarthy is a proud father of five children from two relationships, sharing heartfelt tributes on Instagram for his kids’ birthdays
• Fans and followers joined in the celebrations, flooding McCarthy’s post with warm birthday wishes for young Lio

Kenyan football national team coach and Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy celebrated his son Lio Romeo as he turned six on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

The Harambee Stars coach is a proud father of five children—three with his first wife, Maria Jose-Santos, and two with his current partner, Stacey McCarthy.

Maria and Benni married in 2000 during his time with Portuguese champions FC Porto. Together, they had three children: Mya, Minna, and Allegra. The couple separated in 2007 before Benni married Stacey seven years later.

With Stacey, Benni has two children: Lima Rose, whom he celebrated on her 13th birthday in May, and Lio Romeo, born in 2019, who is the birthday boy.

Read also

DJ Warras's gift to son on his 16th birthday breaks the internet: "Daddy loves you"

McCarthy celebrates Lio’s 6th birthday in style

Just as he did for Allegra’s 17th birthday, McCarthy took to his official Instagram account to post lovely pictures of Lio to mark his 6th birthday in style.

The Kenyan men’s national team coach accompanied the pictures with a heartfelt caption, wishing Lio a happy birthday and expressing how much he loves him:

"Happy 6th birthday to my Prince Lio Romero. Thanks for being the best son a father could wish for. Keep shining bright, my boy. I’m so proud of you, and I love you so much."

Netizens joined McCarthy in celebrating his son, showering him with warm birthday wishes under the post:

@mgushu:

"Happy birthday, God bless you"

@bobbysumako:

"Happy birthday, son"

@vasilimanousakis:

"Happy birthday, Lio. You’re growing up so fast. Hope you have an amazing day."

@zodwa5983:

"Happy birthday to the Leo prince. May he grow to be the best version of his father, our super soccer star."

Read also

Amapiano star Robot Boii shows love to his dad Mzwakhe Mbuli as he turns 66: "God Bless you SNR"

@joskag254:

"Beautiful boy, he is now ready to join his young lads at Carrington."

@hayleyharveysmith:

"Happy birthday, Lio."

@staceymccarthy17:

"My boy."

McCarthy led Kenya to victory in their opening match against Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, in the on going CHAN tournament

A lone strike from Austin Odhiambo in the added time of the first half gave the Harambee Stars the deserved win over DR Congo.

Kenya’s next match in the tournament would be against the Palanca Negras of Angola on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

A win for Harambee Stars against Angola would build their quest of sealing a place in the next round where they could face one of Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Central African Republic and Burkina Faso.

Benni McCarthy narrates how a PSL club betrayed him

Briefly News also reported that McCarthy opened up on the hidden story of how someone at a Premier Soccer League side betrayed him.

Read also

J Something marks 14 years of love on International Girlfriend’s Day: "The one I share life with"

The former West Ham star worked as a head coach for two different clubs in the South African league before working as an assistant to Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

Source: Briefly News