Former Orlando Pirates winger Patrick Maswanganyi has spoken out about the well-known “don’t compare an ant with an elephant” remarks made by football legend Jomo Sono. The 28-year-old says the comments themselves never really bothered him. What did affect him deeply was the way his family suffered from the harsh backlash that followed on social media.

In a recent interview, Maswanganyi explained that he could handle the pressure as a professional footballer. He knew criticism comes with the job. However, when his loved ones started seeing the negative comments online, things became much harder for him to ignore.

“I would say when my family got involved, it was something whereby I couldn’t feel ok also,” he said. “But if it was only about me, I was still at Pirates – even today, playing and working.”

The original remarks from Sono came in 2024 after Maswanganyi was given the famous number 10 jersey for continental matches. Sono, a former Pirates great, warned fans not to compare the younger player to him, saying you cannot compare an ant to an elephant. The statement spread quickly and led to strong reactions from supporters on social media.

Maswanganyi has made it clear that he does not blame Sono for how he felt personally. He understands that legends speak their minds. Still, he believes the online abuse that followed put unnecessary strain on people close to him who were not used to that kind of attention.

The player left Orlando Pirates earlier this year and joined Al Khaldiya in Bahrain. He has said he needed peace and a fresh start after dealing with constant criticism back home. Protecting his family’s mental health was one of the main reasons he decided to move abroad.

Many fans have since expressed mixed feelings about the situation. Some say Maswanganyi was always talented and should have stayed longer at Pirates. Others feel the pressure of social media has become too much for young players and their families in South African football.

Maswanganyi’s words show how comments from big names can travel far beyond the pitch. While he insists he was ready to keep playing for the Bucs, the pain his family felt from the online backlash made him look for a different path. His story highlights the personal cost that often comes with life in the spotlight.

Source: https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2120225932313030765?a=YdDeq8hc-lRpnHdo0OM&s=19