Former Kaizer Chiefs Defender Teenage Hadebe Shines as FC Cincinnati Defeat Inter Miami 3-0

Former Kaizer Chiefs stalwart Teenage Hadebe was all smiles on Thursday morning after his Major League Soccer (MLS) side, FC Cincinnati, secured an impressive 3-0 victory over Inter Miami at the TQL Stadium. The result was a huge statement for Cincinnati, who managed to keep a clean sheet against a star-studded Miami squad featuring Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, both of whom played the full 90 minutes but failed to find the net.

Before this clash, Messi had been in sensational form, scoring 11 goals in his last six MLS matches. Despite his prolific streak, the Argentine superstar, alongside fellow legend Luis Suarez, couldn’t break through the resolute Cincinnati defense marshalled by the Bulawayo-born defender Hadebe.

Hadebe was introduced into the game at the 60-minute mark, replacing striker Kei Kamara in a tactical switch that saw an attacker make way for a defender with the score already at 2-0 in favor of Cincinnati. From then on, the 29-year-old center-back stood firm, helping his team maintain their advantage and preserve a memorable clean sheet.

Inter Miami fielded a formidable lineup, with top names like Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in the starting XI, while former Barcelona icon Javier Mascherano took charge from the touchline as head coach. Despite their firepower and experience, Miami couldn’t find a way past Hadebe and his defensive colleagues.

On the financial front, Teenage Hadebe is one of the higher earners at FC Cincinnati, reportedly earning approximately USD 704,952 (around R12.6 million) annually as his base salary. Including guaranteed compensation—which factors in marketing bonuses and agent fees—his package rises to USD 854,952 (around R15.3 million) per year. It’s important to note these figures exclude performance bonuses and contracts with affiliates.

While Hadebe’s salary is impressive, it still pales in comparison to the MLS’s highest earner, Lionel Messi, whose reported annual income is a staggering USD 20.4 million (about R366 million), underscoring his status as the league’s biggest drawcard.

Having featured in 18 matches this season, Teenage Hadebe’s performances continue to cement his reputation as a reliable and resilient defender in the MLS, proving that his journey from Kaizer Chiefs to the United States has been a successful one.

With FC Cincinnati currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference—just a point behind leaders Philadelphia Union—Hadebe and his teammates will be aiming to build on this impressive win as the MLS season intensifies.