Following debate around Mamelodi Sundowns duo Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau being dropped from the squad and a social media stir with EFF President Julius Malema, Benni McCarthy has given reasons why the new generation are not hungry to go to Europe.
After news broke that Mokoena and Mudau were dropped from the matchday squad to play SuperSport United on Tuesday, Instagram snaps emerged from the duo's 'stories', where they were captured alongside Malema at his pad.
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The images portrayed the pair as being unprofessional, given that Sundowns had an important game the same day, later in the evening.
In spite of being linked with an overseas move, Mokoena signed a new five-year contract at Sundowns ahead of the current season while Mudau, also having suitors abroad, looks set to stay for at least another season.
McCarthy, when asked what's the difference to his generation previously prioritizing making it overseas and the current crop seemingly comfortable locally, suggested that social media has somewhat taken the hunger away.
"The biggest difference has to be the social media platforms now, because I think football players are brands now, they have their own brands. So for them it's the image that matters," McCarthy said on Hollywoodbets' Game On.
"So what gives you the platform, almost takes a backseat to having a good Instagram profile and all that and you forget what gives you that platform, which is the main attraction, the football.
"When we were coming up, there was no such a thing as Twitter, Instagram and all that, we just had to put our heads down and if you want to make it [overseas], in the training pitch and matches, that's where you put the hard graft in, you knuckle down and you see if you've got what it takes to make it and that's the biggest difference now.
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"Football players need to realize the most important thing in life is not your image, people remember you for what you did when you got a job and that is being a footballer, so you have to try to be the best footballer you can possibly be," McCarthy added.
Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi, in his post-match press conference after the win over SuperSport, made a strong stance that he is not scared to take "decisive action" if he feels certain players no longer give their best for the team.