Matthew Booth life and biography

Matthew Booth (born 14 March 1977 in Fish Hoek, Cape Town) is a South African football defender who currently plays for Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League and South Africa.

He made his debut for South Africa on 20 February 1999, against Botswana at the Cosafa Castle Cup. He has so far been capped 28 times scoring one goal.

Due to his height, he is considered one of the most important players when meeting opponents with tall players.

He was also a participant at the 2000 Olympics.
At a towering height of close to two metres, Booth is easily the tallest player ever to represent South Africa. He cut his international teeth captaining the under-20 side at the 1997 World Youth Cup and the then the Olympic side in Sydney in 2000. He made his senior international debut against Botswana over a decade ago.

He is in his second spell at Pretoria club Mamelodi Sundowns, returning there in 2009 after seven years in Russian football with FC Rostov and Krylia Sovetov Samara.

Booth is a cult hero of national team fans. Every time he is on the ball, a long, exaggerated cry of 'Booooooth' rings out, so don't confuse the adoration with jeers from the local fans this summer. He is married to Sonia, a former Miss South Africa, and their relationship is big tabloid news fodder in the country.

Since 2006, Booth has been married to Sonia Bonneventia, former Miss South Africa first princess, and international model.

They have two sons, Nathan Katlego, and Noah Neo.

He has won a soft spot in the hearts of South African fans, with them shouting out Boooooooooth whenever he touches the ball, which can be mistaken for booing.

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