Here
are the words from McCarthy himself at the end of a career which sees him hang
up his boots as South Africa’s only Champions League winner and Bafana’s top
goal scorer:
“I
have been so blessed to have enjoyed a remarkable career that took me from the
township fields of Nyanga Stadium, to winner’s medals in the Uefa Champions
League and World Club Cup - the highest levels that a player can achieve in
club football.
“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 a u-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.
“Football
has been good to me – it has provided special moments and in the process, has
enabled me to have been in a position to have improved the lives of my family
members. For that, I am most grateful.
“I’d
like to thank so many people for making so many aspects of this journey
possible. My family has always been a tremendous support, especially my mom,
Dora, and my late father, Dudley. I trust that I have made them proud in some
small way.
“Sponsors,
like Nike, who have been there for me for the past 15 years and I appreciate
that. And finally, my mentor and business manager, Rob Moore, who has walked
along this road with me since I joined him in 1995 as a 17-year-old.
