My dad is Premier League cult hero… now I’m making my own way as a presenter – I’ve even interviewed Kane and Bellingham
KENZIE BENALI will have had plenty of practice interviewing footballers before quizzing the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham on live TV.
That is because the rising reporter is the daughter of Premier League cult hero Francis Benali.
The former full-back certainly has legendary status in Southampton after coming through the academy at his hometown club and spending his entire professional career on Saints’ books.
Benali Sr racked up more than 350 appearances for Southampton across 16 years from 1988 to 2004, chipping in with just one solitary goal.
He did get a runners-up medal from the FA Cup despite not being involved in the 2003 final, then turned out for Eastleigh for a season in 2006-07.
After retiring, he set up the True Greats website and co-founded the 73 Management agency company – both alongside former Saints team-mate Matt Le Tissier – and does some after-dinner speeches and punditry work.
But it has been his charity efforts that have led to his MBE and Freedom of Southampton.
His heroic challenges include a marathon and a 75-mile cycle ride each day for two weeks to visit all 44 Premier League and Championship stadiums in October 2016.
Then in 2019, he attempted to complete seven Ironmans in seven days – he completed five and was hospitalised but still raised a staggering £1million.
Benali’s son Luke had brief stint at Winchester City in non-league but it is daughter Kenzie who is flying the football flag for the family now.
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Born in May 1995, she is already forging a stellar career in front of the camera as a broadcaster.
She presents the Premier League Rising Stars show with Ben Foster and has done various gigs with the likes of The Hundred and England cricket, England rugby, Southampton and Wimbledon, where she interviewed Andy Murray.
However, her biggest jobs have been in the Qatar World Cup, FA Cup and for the England football team, chatting on live TV to the likes of Kane, Bellingham, Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones.
The popular star even got her football boots on as part of a shoot with Puma in 2022.
Away from her job, Kenzie married her Northamptonshire cricketer husband Lewis McManus in November 2021.
They are set to welcome her first child, a daughter, in 2024.
Glamorous Kenzie is also a huge fan of the theatre and an animal lover and posts plenty of stunning content from her wonderful lifestyle on Instagram – including her highlights at work, family photos, baby bump pics and even horse riding.
Alongside dad Franny, she is also an ambassador for the Saints Foundation.