The hard player: Benni McCarthy
Born on 12 November 1977 in Cape Town, Benni McCarthy is a South African striker who carved a path through Europe with remarkable efficiency. Before crossing to the continent, he posted a stunning return at Seven Stars: 39 goals in 49 games. At Ajax Amsterdam, he kept the momentum going: 24 goals in 53 appearances, enough to attract serious interest. FC Porto then handed him a bigger stage, and he delivered: 45 goals in 113 games.
His time in La Liga showed no let-up either: 23 goals in 98 games for Celta Vigo. It was in the Premier League at Blackburn Rovers that he reached his peak in terms of output: 52 goals in 140 games in one of the world’s most demanding leagues. With the South Africa Olympic side, he earned 13 caps without finding the net.
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PlayThe medium player: Yoann Gourcuff
Born on 11 July 1986 in Ploemeur, Yoann Gourcuff is a French attacking midfielder who was hailed as the future of French football, perhaps a little too soon. He moved to AC Milan, where he managed 54 appearances for just 3 goals, far from the Lombard spotlight. It was on loan at Girondins de Bordeaux that he truly ignited: 15 goals in 49 games, performances that silenced every doubter.
Olympique Lyonnais then placed their faith in him: 128 games and 19 goals. But injuries piled up and the promise gradually faded. He made two separate spells at Stade Rennais: first 80 games and 6 goals, then 53 games and 7 goals, sober numbers for a player whose ability was never in question. At international level, he earned just one cap, with the France under-16 side.
The easy player: Gianfranco Zola
Born on 5 July 1966 in Oliena, Sardinia, Gianfranco Zola is an Italian attacker whose career spanned the biggest stages of Serie A and the Premier League. He started out at SEF Torres 1903 (88 games, 21 goals) before moving to Cagliari Calcio (81 games, 27 goals). It was at Napoli that he truly honed his craft: 36 goals in 135 appearances. Parma then gave him a major international platform: 63 goals in 149 games, a return that caught the eye across Europe.
It was at Chelsea that Zola truly made himself at home, becoming an iconic figure: 312 games, 80 goals, and a bond with the London faithful that never faded. With the Squadra Azzurra, he earned 35 caps and scored 10 goals, cementing his status as a top-level international.