World Cup star was shot before becoming South Africa hero and Premier League icon

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Leeds United legend Lucas Radebe once had a miraculous escape after being shot in the back in his native South Africa . Radebe came from humble origins, growing up in the rough area of Soweto, Johannesburg, before captaining his nation at two World Cups.

The 57-year-old will be desperate for South Africa to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time this summer, as they face hosts Mexico in the tournament opener on June 11. The fixture is a reverse of the iconic World Cup 2010 opener in South Africa, where Siphiwe Tshabalala scored in spectacular fashion before Mexico salvaged a 1-1 draw.

Radebe retired in 2005 after a brilliant career, where he is best known for his performances at the heart of the Leeds defence in over 250 games. But, before that, the central defender began his career with South African side Kaizer Chiefs.

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His career and life almost came to an end in 1991 when he was randomly shot in his car, initially without realising, while out shopping for his mother in Soweto. Radebe told FourFourTwo : "By 1991, I was in my early 20s and had returned to Soweto. My mother Emily ran a spaza shop, making a living by selling convenience items like food and drinks to the locals in our area.

"That day had started just like any other. As usual, I was heading off to buy drinks in bulk, which my mother would then resell. I was going about my business a few blocks from my house, when I heard a loud bang. It felt like my back was on fire. I was in the car with my younger brother Lazarus, and suddenly my leg went numb. I realised I’d been shot. I saw blood all over the seat.

"I thought I’d become yet another victim of gun violence. Many of my childhood friends died or were sent to jail. When my brother rushed me to hospital, I feared I was going to be paralysed for the rest of my life. But, miraculously, when the doctors started to examine me, they found the bullet had only gone through the flesh and managed to miss all of my vital organs."

He added: "Not a lot of people would have survived that – I was extremely fortunate to be alive. After nearly losing my life, you’d imagine an investigation would have been launched, but there was no follow-up from the police. They turned a blind eye to violent crime.

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"When I was recovering from surgery in the hospital, my first question to the doctors was, ‘Am I going to be able to play football again?’ In the township, football had always been our escape from the hardships of life. It was the one thing we loved."

The culprit was never found. Radebe later said: "To be honest I don't know what the motive was, there was a history of players being shot for changing clubs but, with me, I was just a few blocks from my house when I heard a gun shot and I realised I'd been shot."

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He was able to make a quick and full recovery despite the bullet wound and made his move to Elland Road three years later alongside compatriot Phil Masinga. Radebe has since admitted his decision to leave South Africa in 1994 was partly spurred by the shooting, despite winning the National Soccer League in 1989, 1991 and 1992.

But that was to the benefit of Leeds, whose £250,000 signing of the defender is still one of their best-value transfers to date.