Aden McCarthy rejects ‘nepo baby’ label and insists he has earned his career

Aden McCarthy says he is determined to be judged on his own performances rather than on his status as the son of former Kaizer Chiefs and South Africa football figure Fabian McCarthy.

The 22-year-old Sabah FK defender has faced criticism from people who believe his family connections helped him secure opportunities at Amakhosi. But McCarthy says creating his own identity in professional football has always been a priority.

Positive comments about his performances have given him encouragement because they showed that people were recognising his ability on the field.

“It was a kind of validation, but not only that, it also showed me that others can see what I’m doing. And it’s not only me who can see or say, ‘Now you’re actually doing something’. But for people outside to watch and say things, it adds to it,” he told Soccer Laduma.

McCarthy said he was aware of the attention surrounding him on social media, although he did not allow either praise or criticism to affect him excessively.

“No player in history will tell you they don’t look at what people say on social media and stuff. Some things just pop up automatically. So at that time there were a lot of good things that were written about me. I never took it to my head, but it gave me comfort to say that people are actually seeing me for what I can do on the field. I’m not a nepo baby.”

He acknowledged that being linked to Fabian had also resulted in a series of negative messages, with some suggesting that he had benefited from favouritism because of his father’s history at Chiefs.

McCarthy said his aim was not to rely on his family name, but to prove that his own performances deserved the opportunities he received.

“I got a lot of negative comments, messages and all of that stuff that I don’t pay attention to, but a lot of it was because of this father-son thing and favours being done and all of these things. But for me, it definitely was something I wanted to achieve, to get out there, to say that I’m actually my own person, my own player, sorry. And I just wanted to make a name for myself, not to boast about it to anyone or anything, but just to earn what I work hard for.”

McCarthy’s advice to brother Austin

The discussion also included McCarthy’s younger brother Austin, who is pursuing his own career at Naturena with Kaizer Chiefs.

Fabian represented Chiefs, while Aden is now developing his career overseas. Austin could face similar questions about whether the family’s football background has influenced his opportunities.

Aden’s advice was to stay focused, work hard and wait for the right opportunity.

“Nah, he must just put his head down and go for it, work hard. There’s no other way that I would put it because if that’s what you do, no one else can take it from him. What you do on the field, that’s your own doing and what you show to the people. You’ll earn your spot wherever you go.”

He pointed to Austin’s own experience at Chiefs, where he had to wait for an opportunity while younger than some of his team-mates.

“And even he had a period in his time at Chiefs where he had to wait for his chance to play. He was younger than the boys, but he was patient; he worked hard, and now he’s the captain of the team. He’s playing weekly, so it shows you that there are certain rewards for your hard work and things you put aside.”