PLAYER PROFILE

Benni McCarthy

Position: Forward

Height: 6'0

Weight: 12st 0lbs

Date of Birth: 1977-11-12 Cape Town, South Africa

Benni McCarthy

Benni McCarthy first burst onto the scene as a talented young South African striker at the 1998 World Cup, as well as another product of the famous Ajax youth academy, having moved there as a youngster from Ajax Cape Town. However, he failed to set the world on fire as expected, and moved to Celta Vigo in 1999, having developed a reputation as something of a troublemaker.

He did well in La Liga as well as continuing to be a key player for his country, though the expected big money move to a top European club just never quite emerged for him. In 2003 he joined Jose Mourinho's FC Porto, and helped them win the Champions League, scoring twice against Man United along the way.

However, by the final, he was reduced to a substitute's role by Mourinho, and Porto's fortunes plummeted after the coach departed for Chelsea in the summer. Nevertheless, McCarthy stayed and continued to attract controversy, getting dropped from the side by Co Adriaanse in September 2005 for having an unauthorised hair style.

In July 2006 he left Porto to join Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee and he flourished, scoring 24 goals in 50 games.