Former Bafana Bafana striker, Benni McCarthy has retired from football and South Africa’s Sports and Recreation Minister, Fikile Mbalula has paid him a glowing tribute.
According to the SABC, 36-year old McCarthy is hanging up his boots after a professional career spanning 17 years. He's played for well-known clubs such as Ajax Amsterdam in Holland, Celta Vigo of Spain, FC Porto in Portugal and Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United in England.
On his return home, McCarthy played for Orlando Pirates. Mbalula says McCarthy put South African football on the map. He says McCarthy is one of the most decorated players in South Africa. “He’s a boy who comes from the Cape Flats and his story is one of the stories that have even unravelled more talent in the Cape Flats and more young people look up to him.”
Mbalula adds: “May he enjoy his retirement, he has done well for the country and for himself. We wish him all the best for the future.”
Part of McCarthy’s retirement statement, released via his management company, read: "I have been so blessed to have enjoyed a remarkable career that took me from the township fields of Nyanga Stadium, to winners' medals in the UEFA Champions League and World Club Cup,"
"I retire having represented my country at senior level 80 times and scored a record 31 goals," he said. "Two Soccer World Cup finals -- in France and Korea/Japan -- an Olympic Games and an under-20 World Cup will be memories that live in my heart forever.
And to have come home to South Africa for a final chapter, and to have won the treble with Orlando Pirates (2011/12), was the type of finale that only dreams are made of."
McCarthy began his professional career at now defunct Seven Stars in Cape Town, before he went on to play in Holland for Ajax Amsterdam.
Source: SABC
