Miche Minnies: The Ronaldinho look-alike taking South African football by storm

Michie Minnies shares an uncanny resemblance with Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho. Credit: X

Miche Minnies: The Ronaldinho look-alike taking South African football by storm

Kolawole Babatunde 14:30 - 10.05.2024

Miche Minnies is a rising star in South African women's football and she garnered attention due to her resemblance to the Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho. This likeness has even earned her the nickname "Ronaldinha," with several fans asking if she is related to the ex-Barcelona star.

Pulse Sports published a report on how Ronaldinho’s name trended due to his enormous resemblance to the South African soccer player

However, there are still several unanswered questions about the forward and we have answered them all in this article. 

Who is Miche Minnies?

Minnies is a South African female footballer who currently plays for SAFA Women's League club Mamelodi Sundowns and the South Africa women's national team. She is from Heinz Park, South Africa and her journey into the world of soccer began in Mitchell Plain. 

How old is Miche Minnies?

Minnies was born on November 14, 2001 and she is 22 years old at the time of writing this. She is  a young and exciting prospect in South African football with a blossoming career. 

Despite her young age, Minnies has already achieved impressive feats. She was the top scorer in the Sasol League, leading Vasco da Gama to the title in 2021 and her talent has secured her a spot on a prestigious South African team. 

Miche Minnies parents

Miche’s parents are Mr. David Minnies and Mrs. Minnies, both of whom played an important role in her journey to become a soccer star. 

Her mother is not in the public eye, but according to several sources, she is described as a dedicated woman who provided steady support to her daughter’s career. Mrs. Minnies showered Miche with love and encouraged her all the way to become who she is today. 

Who is Miche Minnies father?

Miche’s father, David Minnies, has been a strong influence in her life and he is credited with sparking her passion for soccer by introducing her to the sport at a young age, even acting as her first coach from the age of five.  This early encouragement and training undoubtedly played a role in her development as a skilled player.

David Minnies was a security guard, but this never stopped him from providing what Miche needed to achieve her dream. Despite not being economically buoyant, David Minnies instilled values like discipline, perseverance and resilience in Miche.

Miche Minnies club career 

Miche Minnies' club career has been on a fast track. Before joining her current team, Mamelodi Sundowns, in 2022, she impressed while playing for Vasco Da Gama Ladies. Her talent shone brightly, making her the top goal scorer in the Sasol League play wins of 2021.

Mamelodi Sundowns, recognizing her potential, recruited her, and she's been thriving ever since.  While specific details on her earlier career are unavailable, her recent form with Sundowns speaks volumes.  News reports highlight her impressive start to the 2024 season. In March, she netted a brace in their opening match, a dominant 5-1 victory.  Her hot streak continued in April, where she bagged a hat-trick in a 7-0 win against Lindelani Ladies, earning her player of the match honors.

Miche is a key contributor to Mamelodi Sundowns' success and her impressive goal-scoring form suggests there's much more to come from this young South African talent.

Miche Minnes international career

Miche represents South Africa on the international level and has participated in several tournaments, starting from the age grade competitions. The forward was at the U17 Women’s World Cup in November 2018, where she earned a red card early in the second half against Ronaldinho’s country, Brazil. 

In 2022, she represented the South Africa senior women’s team at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations and helped them win the tournament for the first time in history. She was in the Team of the Tournament and was also part of the IFFHS CAF Women's Team of The Year in 2022. 

Miche Minnies and Ronaldinho 

In 2023, Miche took the internet by storm due to her uncanny resemblance to the legendary Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho. Photos of Minnies circulated widely, with fans jokingly demanding a DNA test to determine a possible connection.

The humor stemmed from the undeniable similarities in their facial features, particularly their broad smiles and bright eyes. While the resemblance is purely coincidental, it has undeniably boosted Minnies' profile. Nicknamed "Ronaldinha" by fans, she gained recognition beyond the South African football scene.

Minnies, however, is more than just a lookalike, as her soccer skills are great and has contributed to her team's success, proving she's not just a viral sensation.

Despite the lighthearted comparisons, Minnies has distanced herself from the Ronaldinho connection. Her father humorously refuted the claims, and Minnies herself does not see the resemblance. 

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