AN infectious smile, a unique talent and a refreshingly honest approach to life. Benni McCarthy has become one of world football’s biggest personalities.

Loved one minute, loathed the next, South Africa’s all-time record scorer has never been far from the headlines in a career that has seen him do things his own way, and damn the consequences.

Frequent bust ups with managers for club and country have arguably stunted his ascent to the very top but, with a Champions League winner medal, more than 100 Premier League appearances and two World Cup campaigns to his name, the boy from very humble beginnings hasn’t done bad, has he?

As he looks out over Blackburn Rovers’ Brockhall training ground, the out-of favour striker’s current club fortunes are very much a taboo subject as he struggles to establish a starting role under boss Sam Allardyce.

But mention the forthcoming World Cup finals hosted by his home nation and McCarthy comes alive. The glint in his eye returns, the smile is back as he speaks with pride about the prospect of today’s draw.

He said: “You never dreamed of South Africa playing in the World Cup, now they are hosting it. It will be really great and we are looking forward to it.

“I don’t think it was ever in our minds because of the problems that were there and how things used to be. We never, ever, dreamt of even wanting to host things like that.

“But it shows how times change and how things move on. It has become so cosmopolitan overnight and it is a great thing.

“It is a show thing where we can show people how quickly South Africans forget about how things used to be and how we learnt to move on and live together under one roof and give the world something to cheer about.

“We want to host a successful World Cup and make people happy and see smiles on people’s faces.”

McCarthy, born in the midst of Cape Town’s gang culture, is used to defying the odds and is now determined to write another chapter in his and his country’s remarkable success story.

Growing up on the violent and dangerous Cape Flats, a region once termed apartheid’s dumping ground, the 32-year-old knows all about the past hardships born from years of political struggle.

Questions are still being asked in some quarters about the safety aspects of this summer’s event, with social problems still existing some 15 years after the fall of apartheid, but McCarthy has assured any potential visitors there are no concerns.

“In my opinion, South Africa will be very safe,” he said. “England is also safe but I prefer Cape Town. It is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world so that says it all.

“People don’t have to worry about safety. There will be places you will be told not to go but that is the same everywhere. I get told not to go to Moss Side – I don’t know why.

“It is a major economic boost for the country with stadiums being built and jobs being generated. More people will have jobs and the economy of the country will rise up.

“Especially with the incomes of a lot of the Europeans visiting the country and seeing what South Africa is all about before they go to the World Cup. It is phenomenal.”

The Rovers striker has already played in the World Cups of 1998 and 2002, scoring in both events, but knows this summer will prove a different experience altogether – as an African nation hosts the finals for the first time.

He said: “The World Cup is a great moment of a career.

"The hype now, people are starting to get caught up by the World Cup.

“This World Cup is not just about South Africa, it is about Africa as a whole. All the African countries chip in to have an event like this happen. The whole of Africa contributes.

“We do know how to host, we have proven that with the Rugby World Cup but I am sure this will be a completely different level. I hope European people go there and can get an experience of what a marvellous country South Africa is.

“South Africa is a mad house at the moment with all the hype that is going on. Now the World Cup is in South Africa and everyone wants to be a part of it.”

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