Former South Africa international Benni McCarthy has announced his decision to retire from football.
The 35-year-old, who had stints at Porto, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United, has decided to hang up his boots as an Orlando Pirates striker following a 17-year career in the game.
A statement from McCarthy said: "I retire having represented my country at senior level 80 times and scored a record 31 goals. Two Soccer World Cup finals, in France and Korea/Japan, an Olympic Games and an Under-20 World Cup finals 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, was the type of finale that only dreams are made of.
"It has been a 17-year professional career that surpassed even my own expectations and I've been privileged to have played under many great coaches, including the very best, Jose Mourinho."
McCarthy collected a Champions League winner's medal in 2004 while playing for Porto under now Chelsea boss Mourinho.
Danielle Joynson
