Orlando Pirates star was mentioned in the same breath as Di Maria

Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus was once mentioned in the same company as Angel Di Maria and Karim Benzema. What’s happened?

KERMIT WAS WORLD-FAMOUS

World Soccer Magazine named Erasmus one of the 50 most talented young players in world football in a piece titled “The 50 most exciting teenagers on the planet” in 2007. That list included Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema, Man City’s all-time leading goal-scorer Sergio Aguero, World Cup winner Angel Di Maria, five-time Champions League winner Gareth Bale and 2007 Golden Boy winner Alexandre Pato. Kermit has represented 11 clubs across five countries throughout his career. That’s impressive, in a way, but also indicates that he never quite settled and called one club home for an extended spell. His transfer value peaked in 2016 when he was with Rennes in France’s Ligue 1, and it’s been a steady decline since.

Di Maria has always been Argentina’s man for the big occasion

Playmaker Ángel Fabián Di María has had a truly stellar career. From Rosario Central in his native Argentina to Lisbon giants Benfica and everything in between, he’s done it all. He’s scored in a winning World Cup final, he scored the winner in a Copa America final, he was the Man of the Match in the 2014 Champions League final and he even scored the only goal in the 2008 Olympic Games Gold Medal match against Nigeria.

Severely underrated

Now 36 and in the twilight of his fabled career, the left-footed magician still creates chances for teammates. This season in the Portuguese top-flight he has eight goals and 10 assists in 25 appearances for Benfica. Show us a player with more BMT in world football. Big game credentials and stints with European giants Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus and Benfica cement his status as one of this generation’s greats. Not even an awful period at Man United can undermine that.

THE CURRENT SITUATION FOR ERASMUS

Kermit Erasmus’ Bucs contract expires in June 2024. A source close to Soccer-Laduma reveals the club will decide on his future soon. However, they’re leaning towards releasing the former Feyenoord, Rennes, Lens, Sundowns and SuperSport star. Overall, he’s made 117 appearances for Pirates in two stints, scoring 26 goals and supplying 19 assists. His career in South Africa includes three DStv Premiership crowns and a Nedbank Cup win. For a guy who was once mentioned in the same breath as future World Cup winner Di Maria, this is perhaps an underwhelming summary of his long career.

SOUTH AFRICAN STORY SET FOR A NEW CHAPTER?

The seasoned striker has spent stints in France, Portugal and the Netherlands before settling back into South African football in 2019. When he leaves Pirates at the end of the campaign, there won’t be a shortage of suitors to bring him on board. Where will he end up? There’s still plenty of value left in the old legs.

What’s your overall assessment of Kermit Erasmus’ career?

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