Mehdi Carcela

Mehdi Carcela, born on July 1, 1989, is a former professional footballer renowned for his skills as a midfielder. He began his illustrious career at his hometown club, Standard Liège, where he made a significant impact over two spells from 2008 to 2015. During his time at the club, he played 157 matches and netted 25 goals, contributing to the team's success in winning the league title in 2009 and the cup in 2011.

In a notable move, Carcela transferred to Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia for a fee of five point seven million euros, marking a pivotal moment in his career. After his time in Russia, he continued his journey in European football by signing with Benfica in Portugal in 2015, followed by a stint at Granada in Spain a year later.

Internationally, Carcela represented Belgium at various youth levels and earned two caps for the senior national team. However, in 2010, he made the decision to switch his allegiance to Morocco, the country of his ancestry. He proudly represented Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations in both 2012 and 2017, showcasing his talent on a continental stage.