17 Facts About Mehdi Carcela

Mehdi Carcela began his career in his hometown club Standard Liege, playing 157 games and scoring 25 goals in two spells from 2008 to 2015.

Mehdi Carcela won the league in 2009 and the cup two years later.

Mehdi Carcela represented the latter country at the 2012 and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Mehdi Carcela is a product of the Standard Liege academy, having joined the club at age five.

Mehdi Carcela made his professional debut at nineteen, when he came on as a substitute for Igor de Camargo in the 81st minute.

Mehdi Carcela had surgery to treat the injury he sustained from Mavinga.

Mehdi Carcela described the incident as the "most difficult period of his life" because he feared that he could have died.

Makhachkala, capital of the Republic of Dagestan, has a large Muslim population and Mehdi Carcela joined with his compatriot teammate Mbark Boussoufa.

On 13 June 2015, Mehdi Carcela signed a four-year deal with Portuguese champions Benfica.

Mehdi Carcela was mostly used as a substitute as the Reds retained their title, and played four matches in their victorious Taca da Liga campaign but was an unused substitute in the final.

On 31 August 2016, Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez signed a four-year contract with Spanish club Granada.

Mehdi Carcela finished with 24 games and five goals across all competitions while his team were relegated in last place.

Mehdi Carcela was officially set for release from the club on 4 December 2017 as his performances and work rate did not live up to the expectations of the Olympiacos management, but was reinstated to first-team training sessions on 18 January 2018 under the reign of Oscar Garcia.

Mehdi Carcela was out of the plans of former coach Takis Lemonis, however received a second chance when Oscar Garcia was appointed.

Mehdi Carcela initially chose to represent his country of birth, Belgium, and even played two friendlies with the Red Devils, but in December 2010 he changed his mind and decided to represent Morocco.

Mehdi Carcela made the squad for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, playing two matches in a group stage exit.

Mehdi Carcela was born in Liege, Belgium, to a Spanish father and Moroccan mother.