Beyond the Pitch: Aldrine Kibet Shares Benni McCarthy’s Crucial Advice for Conquering Celta Vigo and La Liga Dreams

The journey from being a talented Kenyan teen to earning a spot within the famed Spanish football framework is steep, yet Aldrine Kibet is navigating it with remarkable speed and diligence. The young midfielder, a new call-up for the Harambee Stars, took a significant step in his developing career when he officially joined Spanish club Celta Vigo in July. Kibet made the move from Nastic Soccer Academy, beginning a new chapter focused on his development within the Celta Vigo youth team structure. His ultimate ambition is clear: to “light up La Liga in the near future.”

Fortunately for the 19-year-old attacking midfielder, his transition has been greatly aided by the invaluable mentorship of his national team coach, Benni McCarthy, a South African tactician uniquely positioned to offer advice, having himself played for the Spanish club for four seasons.

---

Key Takeaways: Aldrine Kibet’s European Journey

• Current Club: Celta Vigo (Joined July, placed in the youth development team)
• Ultimate Goal: To light up La Liga in the near future
• Primary Mentor: Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy (ex-Celta Vigo player)
• McCarthy’s Key Advice: First priority must be to learn Spanish for communication and understanding
• Current Focus: Technical improvement – “understanding the game and knowing what I am supposed to do at different moments”
• National Recognition: Received maiden Harambee Stars call-up, years ahead of his own schedule

---

The Legacy of Benni McCarthy at Balaídos

Benni McCarthy’s counsel holds particular weight because he is not just any coach, but a former Celta Vigo star who understands the club’s culture and requirements intimately. McCarthy turned out for Celta Vigo during a critical period in the club’s history, playing from 1999 to 2003. During his impactful tenure, he made 105 appearances and scored 30 goals.

With this deep institutional knowledge, McCarthy sought to help Kibet transition smoothly into the demands of Spanish football and life. The guidance was not purely tactical but emphasized the foundational requirements for succeeding in a foreign environment.

---

The Essential Requirement: Language and Communication

The core of McCarthy’s advice centered on bridging the communication gap. Kibet recalled his coach emphasizing the paramount need to learn Spanish. McCarthy explained that once Kibet masters the language, “it will be easier to communicate and to understand what the coaches and teammates need” from him.

Kibet has been actively following this pragmatic advice. He revealed that he is “currently working on” learning Spanish, noting that Celta Vigo takes this requirement seriously and has enrolled all players who cannot speak Spanish in a language class. This highlights that immersion and clear communication are often the first obstacles for players transitioning to competitive European leagues.

---

Technical Evolution and an ‘Elevated Game’

Beyond linguistic assimilation, Kibet’s time at Celta Vigo has yielded tangible technical benefits. He admitted that joining the Spanish club has “greatly elevated his game”. His development focus has shifted heavily toward the technical aspects of football.

Kibet detailed:
“I have started more on the technical part; understanding the game and knowing what I am supposed to do at different moments.”

He sees this heightened focus on game intelligence and technical execution as vital to eventually achieving his goal of lighting up La Liga.

---

Shock Call-Up and National Team Dreams

Kibet’s accelerated development and commitment clearly won the trust of Benni McCarthy. The improved performance led to the biggest surprise yet: his maiden Harambee Stars call-up for friendly matches this month.

The midfielder admitted he was stunned and in “disbelief” upon receiving the news. The call-up came years ahead of schedule, as he had only envisioned debuting for the senior national team around 2027. Kibet, who once admired Lionel Messi, is now set to represent Kenya on the senior stage.

---

Harambee Stars Upcoming Friendly Schedule

Date	Opponent
November 14	Equatorial Guinea
November 17	Senegal (The Teranga Lions)

---

Global Reach and Celta Vigo’s View of Kenyan Fans

Kibet’s move has done more than advance his personal career; it has also created a unique link between the Spanish club and East African football fans. He shared insight into Celta Vigo’s impressions of Kenyan supporters, highlighting the club’s positive reaction to the support from Kenyan fans.

---

In essence, Aldrine Kibet’s journey serves as a powerful metaphor: success in global sports is not just about raw talent, but also the willingness to adopt the language and technical philosophy of a new environment.

Benni McCarthy’s advice—learn the language first—is the master key to unlocking the full potential of this Spanish opportunity, ensuring that Kibet can fully communicate his ability and realize his goal of lighting up La Liga.