Mehdi Carcela

Carcela is a product of the Standard Liège academy, having joined the club at age five. He made his professional debut at nineteen, when he came on as a substitute for Igor de Camargo in the 81st minute. Standard won 2–0 against Kortrijk on 13 September 2008.{{cite news|title=Standard Liege 2 - 0 Kortrijk|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/report/jupiler-league-2008-2009-standard-liege-kv-kortrijk/|publisher=World Football|date=13 September 2008|access-date=23 June 2014}} He later made his European debut in the last game of the group stage of the UEFA Cup against Stuttgart on 18 December 2008, coming on as a substitute for Wilfried Dalmat in the 65th minute of a 3–0 away defeat.{{cite news|title=Match Report: Stuttgart 3 - 0 Standard Liege|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/304245--stuttgart-vs-standard-liege/|publisher=UEFA Official Website|date=18 December 2008|access-date=23 June 2014}} In his first season, the club won the league and Belgian Super Cup, with him making only twelve appearances.

Carcela began the 2009–10 season as a substitute, as Standard won the Belgian Super Cup for the second time running. He then scored his first goal for the club and made an assist, in a 5–1 win over Roeselare on 15 August.{{cite news|title=Match Report: KSV Roeselare 1 -5 Standard Liege|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/report/jupiler-league-2009-2010-ksv-roeselare-standard-liege/|publisher=World Football|date=15 August 2009|access-date=23 June 2014}} Four weeks later, on 13 September, he scored twice, as the team beat Mechelen 3–0.{{cite news|title=Standard wint, maar verliest Defour|trans-title=Standard wins, but loses Defour|url=http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1001/Sportwereld/article/detail/2045850/2009/09/13/Standard-wint-maar-verliest-Defour.dhtml|publisher=AD.nl|language=nl|date=13 September 2009|access-date=23 June 2014}} He then scored in the next match six days later, in a 3–1 win over Lokeren.{{cite news|title=Match Report: Lokoren 1 - 3 Standard Liege|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/report/jupiler-league-2009-2010-sporting-lokeren-standard-liege/|publisher=World Football|date=19 September 2009|access-date=23 June 2014}} On 24 November he was sent off in the Champions League group match at Arsenal after he head-butted Cesc Fàbregas in the waning moments of the 2–0 defeat at Emirates Stadium.{{cite news|title=Arsenal 2 - 0 Standard Liege|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8372925.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 November 2009|access-date=23 June 2014}} As a result, Carcela missed two matches in the next European games.{{cite news|title=Carcela maar 2 Europese matchen aan de kant|trans-title=Carcela but two European games on the side|url=http://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf10022010_026|publisher=De Standaard|language=nl|date=10 February 2010|access-date=23 June 2014}} This season proved a breakthrough season for Carcela, as he scored five goals in 44 appearances in all competitions.

File:Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez.jpg in 2009]]

In the 2010–11 season, Carcela's performances were observed by Zinedine Zidane from Real Madrid.{{cite news|title=Zidane veut Carcela au Real Madrid|trans-title=Zidane wants Carcela at Real Madrid|url=http://www.infosports.be/v2.0/articles_sports/foot/foot_belge/2010_2011/d1/news/article_zidane_veut_carcela_au_real_madrid|publisher=Info Sports|language=fr|date=13 November 2010|access-date=23 June 2014}} He made an impressive start to the season when he scored four goals in two games against Lierse on 6 August{{cite news|title=Match Report: Lokoren 1 - 4 Standard Liege|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/report/jupiler-league-2010-2011-lierse-sk-standard-liege/|publisher=World Football|date=6 August 2010|access-date=23 June 2014}} and Lokoren eight days later.{{cite news|title=Match Report: Standard Liege 3 - 3 Sporting Lokoren|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/report/jupiler-league-2010-2011-standard-liege-sporting-lokeren/|publisher=World Football|date=14 August 2010|access-date=23 June 2014}} He then scored three goals in three matches between game weeks 10 and 12, as he helped the club humiliate Anderlecht in a 5–1 win;{{cite news|title=Match Report: Standard Liege 5 - 1 Anderlecht|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/report/jupiler-league-2010-2011-standard-liege-rsc-anderlecht/|publisher=World Football|date=3 October 2010|access-date=23 June 2014}} then scored another in a loss against Genk on 17 October;{{cite news|title= Racing Genk verslaat Standard LuikLiege|trans-title=Racing Genk beat Standard Liège|url=http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1001/Sportwereld/article/detail/1914074/2010/10/17/Racing-Genk-verslaat-Standard-Luik.dhtml|publisher=AD.nl|language=nl|date=17 October 2010|access-date=23 June 2014}} and a 2–1 win against Gent a week later.{{cite news|trans-title=AA Gent Standard Liege goes beyond|title=Standard Luik gaat AA Gent voorbij|url=http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1001/Sportwereld/article/detail/1916584/2010/10/24/Standard-Luik-gaat-AA-Gent-voorbij.dhtml|publisher=AD.nl|language=nl|date=24 October 2010|access-date=23 June 2014}} At the end of 2010, Carcela was listed among the 100 best young players in the world by Don Balón.{{cite news|title=Don Balon's list of the 100 best young players in the world|url=http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/2010/11/02/don-balons-list-of-the-100-best-young-players-in-the-world/|publisher=The Spoiler Website|date=2 November 2010|access-date=23 June 2014}}

On 17 May 2011, he was on the receiving end of a kick in the face from Chris Mavinga while both players were tussling for the ball in a league match against Genk, which left him with several facial fractures and broken teeth.{{cite news | url = http://www.dhnet.be/sports/standard/article/354072/le-terrible-choc-mavinga-carcela.html | title = Le terrible choc Mavinga-Carcela |trans-title=Mavinga and Carcela's terrible collision| date = 17 May 2011 | work = DH.be | access-date = 23 June 2014 | language = fr}} After the match, Mavinga apologised to Carcela for his actions.{{cite news|trans-title=Belgium: a player confuses football with kickboxing (video)|title=Belgique: un joueur confond le football avec du kick-boxing (vidéo)|url=http://sport.gentside.com/belgique/belgique-un-joueur-confond-le-football-avec-du-kick-boxing-video_art13930.html|publisher=Gentside Sport|language=fr|date=18 May 2011|access-date=23 June 2014}} Meanwhile, that season, Carcela would help the club progress in the Belgian Cup by scoring in the second leg of the semi-final, as Standard Liège beat Gent 4–1 to reach the final. Carcela had surgery to treat the injury he sustained from Mavinga.{{cite news|trans-title=Flink battered Carcela under the knife|title=Flink gehavende Carcela onder het mes|url=http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1001/Sportwereld/article/detail/2433277/2011/05/18/Flink-gehavende-Carcela-onder-het-mes.dhtml|publisher=AD.nl|language=nl|date=18 May 2011|access-date=23 June 2014}} He described the incident as the "most difficult period of his life" because he feared that he could have died.{{cite news|trans-title=Recovering Carcela-Gonzalez: 'Could be dead'|title=Herstellende Carcela-Gonzalez: 'Had dood kunnen zijn'|url=http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/herstellende-carcelagonzalez-had-dood-kunnen-zijn.htm|publisher=Voetbal International|language=nl|date=9 June 2011|access-date=23 June 2014}} As a result of having surgery,{{cite news|trans-title=Mehdi Carcela successful surgery|title=Mehdi Carcela succesvol geopereerd|url=http://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20110525_130|publisher=De Standaard|language=nl|date=25 May 2011|access-date=23 June 2014}} He missed the final of the Belgian Cup, in which his team won 2–0 against Westerlo. By the end of the season, Carcela had made 44 appearances in all competitions and scoring 14 times, making him the club's top scorer of the 2010–11 season.

In September 2011, Carcela moved to Russia by joining Anzhi Makhachkala for €5.7 million, where he signed a four-year contract.{{cite news|title=Standard Liege says Carcela-Gonzalez to join Anzhi pending medical|url=http://en.ria.ru/sports/20110830/166301740.html|publisher=RIA Novositi|date=30 August 2011|access-date=23 June 2014}} Upon joining the club, he revealed that Spartak Moscow offered a wage double what Anzhi offered.{{cite news|trans-title=Carcela-Gonzalez: 'Spartak' offered me a bit more than 'Anzhi'|title=Карсела-Гонсалес: в "Спартаке" мне предлагали немного больше, чем в "Анжи"|url=http://www.championat.com/football/news-913602.html|publisher=Championat.com|language=ru|date=31 August 2011|access-date=23 June 2014}} However, Spartak Moscow's sporting director, Dmitri Popov, denied the claim, suggesting he joined Anzhi because of his religion. Makhachkala, capital of the Republic of Dagestan, has a large Muslim population and Carcela joined with his compatriot teammate Mbark Boussoufa.

In his first season, Carcela made only eight appearances, because of his injury concerns and his upcoming commitments in the African Cup of Nations.{{cite news|trans-title=Carcela-González missed 'Anzhi' training due to food poisoning|title=Карсела-Гонсалес пропустил тренировку "Анжи" из-за пищевого отравления|url=http://www.championat.com/football/news-1176896-karsela-gonsales-propustil-trenirovku-anzhi-iz-za-pishhevogo-otravlenija.html|publisher=Championat.com|language=ru|date=9 May 2012|access-date=23 June 2014}}{{cite news|trans-title=Boussoufa and Carcela-González returned to 'Anzhi'|title=Буссуфа и Карсела-Гонсалес вернулись в "Анжи"|url=http://www.championat.com/football/news-1077266-bussufa-i-karsela-gonsales-vernulis-v-anzhi.html|publisher=Championat.com|language=ru|date=7 February 2012|access-date=23 June 2014}} At one point, Carcela played in the centre forward position on 1 April 2012, in a 1–0 loss against Rubin Kazan.{{cite news|title=Ex-Anzhi Coach Takes Swipe at Hiddink's Team|url=http://en.ria.ru/sports/20120405/172638562.html|publisher=RIA Novosti|date=5 April 2012|access-date=23 June 2014}}

In his first full season, Carcela saw his future at the club in doubt and considered leaving the club if he did not get enough playing time, and the club management considered selling him.{{cite news|trans-title='Anzhi' willing to part with Carcela-González|title="Анжи" готов расстаться с Карсела-Гонсалесом|url=http://www.championat.com/football/news-1260813-anzhi-gotov-rasstatsja-s-karsela-gonsalesom.html|publisher=Championat.com|language=ru|date=28 July 2012|access-date=23 June 2014}} As a result, he was suspected to be moving to Udinese{{cite news|trans-title=Larini: 'Udinese' has not contacted 'Anzhi' about Carcela-González|title=Ларини: "Удинезе" не связывался с "Анжи" по поводу Карсела-Гонсалеса|url=http://www.championat.com/football/news-1273208-larini-udineze-ne-svjazyvalsja-s-anzhi-po-povodu-karsela-gonsalesa.html|publisher=Championat.com|language=ru|date=8 August 2012|access-date=23 June 2014}} Despite this situation, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 1–0 win over Amkar Perm on 5 August 2012.{{cite news|trans-title=Carcela-González: my goal was to change the course of the game with 'Amkar'|title=Карсела-Гонсалес: моя задача состояла в том, чтобы поменять ход игры с "Амкаром"|url=http://www.championat.com/football/news-1271176-karsela-gonsales-moja-zadacha-sostojala-v-tom-chtoby-pomenjat-khod-igry-s-amkarom.html|publisher=Championat.com|language=ru|date=6 August 2012|access-date=23 June 2014}} In the UEFA Europa League play-off round, Carcela-González scored again, as Anzhi thrashed AZ 5–0, beating them 6–0 on aggregate.{{cite news|title=Anzhi Smash 5 Past Dutch for Europa League Group Spot|url=http://en.ria.ru/sports/20120831/175529112.html|publisher=RIA Novosti|date=31 August 2012|access-date=23 June 2014}} From there, Carcela had an extended run in the first team that he considered a step forward in his career.{{cite news|trans-title=Carcela-Gonzalez: 'Anzhi' is a step forward in my career|title=Карсела-Гонсалес: "Анжи" — это шаг вперёд в моей карьере|url=http://www.championat.com/football/news-1426709-karsela-gonsales-anzhi---jeto-shag-vperjod-v-moej-karere.html|publisher=Championat.com|language=ru|date=17 January 2013|access-date=23 June 2014}}

In August 2013, following restructuring at business level, Anzhi chose to transfer list its whole squad, including Carcela.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/transfers-willian-anzhi-players-up-2138314 |title=Tottenham and Chelsea transfer target Willian poised for bargain move as Anzhi slash budget |publisher=Daily Mirror |date=7 August 2013 |access-date=23 August 2013 }} Following this, he expressed a desire to leave the club, and was rumored to be moving back to Standard, or to Roma,{{cite news|trans-title=Carcela-González can go to 'Standard' or 'Roma'|title=Карсела-Гонсалес может перейти в "Стандард" или "Рому"|url=http://www.championat.com/football/news-1618470-karsela-gonsales-mozhet-perejti-v-standard-ili-romu.html|publisher=Championat.com|language=ru|date=30 August 2013|access-date=23 June 2014}} Marseille, Toulouse or Nice.{{cite news|trans-title='Marseille', 'Nice' and 'Toulouse' interested in Carcela-González|title="Марсель", "Ницца" и "Тулуза" интересуются Карсела-Гонсалесом|url=http://www.championat.com/football/news-1553987-marsel-nicca-i-tuluza-interesujutsja-karsela-gonsalesom.html|publisher=Championat.com|language=ru|date=13 June 2013|access-date=23 June 2014}}

After two years in Russia, Carcela returned to Standard Liège on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news|trans-title=Standard Carcela gets back from Russia|title=Standard haalt Carcela terug uit Rusland|url=http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/voetbal/Jupiler_Pro_League/1.1718286|publisher=Sporza Official Website|language=nl|date=1 September 2013|access-date=23 June 2014}}

On 8 December 2013, after Oud-Heverlee Leuven's Bjorn Ruytinx committed a bad foul on Carcela and then appeared to be laughing, Carcela got up, punched him in the face, and was sent off.{{cite web | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1881726-footballer-has-ankle-stomped-on-gets-up-and-punches-opponent-then-hospitalised | title=Footballer Has Ankle Stomped on, Gets up and Punches Opponent | website=Bleacher Report }} He received a four-match suspension.{{cite news |trans-title=Punch brings Carcela four-match ban |title=Vuistslag komt Carcela op vier duels schorsing te staan|url=http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/vuistslag-komt-carcela-op-vier-duels-schorsing-te-staan.htm|publisher=Voetbal International|language=nl|date=10 December 2013|access-date=1 September 2014}} He scored in a 1–0 against Charleroi on 15 February 2014.{{cite news|trans-title=Bone wins Menzo, Standard best in Walloon derby|title=Been wint van Menzo, Standard beste in Waalse derby|url=http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1001/Sportwereld/article/detail/3597875/2014/02/15/Been-wint-van-Menzo-Standard-beste-in-Waalse-derby.dhtml|publisher=AD.nl|language=nl|date=15 February 2014|access-date=23 June 2014}} Carcela then scored his second goal of the season, in a 1–0 win over Anderlecht on 30 March 2014.{{cite news|trans-title=Standard Liege back on top in Belgium|title=Standard Luik terug aan kop in België|url=http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1001/Sportwereld/article/detail/3625122/2014/03/30/Standard-Luik-terug-aan-kop-in-Belgie.dhtml|publisher=AD.nl|language=nl|date=30 March 2014|access-date=23 June 2014}} In the last game of the season, he scored for the third time of the season, in a 1–0 win over Gent, but Anderlecht's victory gave them instead of Standard the title.{{cite news|trans-title=Anderlecht again champion of Belgium|title=Anderlecht opnieuw kampioen van België|url=http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1001/Sportwereld/article/detail/3657159/2014/05/18/Anderlecht-opnieuw-kampioen-van-Belgie.dhtml|publisher=AD.nl|language=nl|date=18 May 2014|access-date=23 June 2014}}

On 13 June 2015, Carcela signed a four-year deal with Portuguese champions Benfica.{{cite web |url=http://www.slbenfica.pt/noticias/detalhedenoticia/tabid/2788/ArticleId/42100/language/en-US/Mehdi-Carcela-I-m-honoured-to-play-for-a-mythical-club.aspx |title=Mehdi Carcela: I'm honoured to play for a mythical club |date=13 June 2015 |publisher=S.L. Benfica |access-date=29 June 2015}} He debuted for the team on 23 August in a 1–0 away loss at Arouca in the Primeira Liga,{{cite web|url=http://www.rtp.pt/noticias/desporto/arouca-1-0-benfica_e853341|title=Arouca 1-0 Benfica|first=RTP, Rádio e Televisão de Portugal - Marcos|last=Celso/zerozero.pt|date=24 August 2015 |access-date=29 December 2017}} and scored his first goal for Benfica on 16 October in a 2–1 away win at Vianense in the Taça de Portugal.{{cite web|url=http://www.rtp.pt/noticias/desporto/jardel-da-vitoria-ao-benfica-no-ultimo-minuto_e866623|title=Jardel dá vitória ao Benfica no último minuto|first=RTP, Rádio e Televisão de Portugal -|last=RTP/Zerozero.pt|date=16 October 2015 |access-date=29 December 2017}} Two weeks later, he scored his first goal in the Primeira Liga, in a 4–0 league win at Tondela.{{cite web|url=http://www.rtp.pt/noticias/desporto/tondela-0-4-benfica_e870060|title=Tondela 0-4 Benfica|first=RTP, Rádio e Televisão de Portugal - Marcos|last=Celso/zerozero.pt|date=30 October 2015 |access-date=29 December 2017}} He was mostly used as a substitute as the Reds retained their title, and played four matches in their victorious Taça da Liga campaign but was an unused substitute in the final.{{cite news|title=ONZE DO BENFICA COM LUISÃO, GRIMALDO E SAMARIS. NELO VINGADA MUDA SEIS|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/taca-da-liga/artigos/onze-do-benfica-com-luisao-grimaldo-e-samaris-nelo-vingada-muda-seis|access-date=21 December 2017|publisher=SAPO|date=20 May 2016|language=pt}}

On 31 August 2016, Carcela-González signed a four-year contract with Spanish club Granada.{{cite news|url=http://www.slbenfica.pt/30/news/info/4odM8U1H5UyvvK9IEHIG5Q?language=pt-PT|title=Vários jogadores de saída|trans-title=Several players leaving|language=pt|website=S.L. Benfica|date=31 August 2016|access-date=31 August 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.granadacf.es/noticia/comunicado-oficial-carcela|title=Comunicado oficial - Carcela|trans-title=Official press release - Carcela|language=es|website=Granada CF|date=31 August 2016|access-date=31 August 2016}} He made his La Liga debut on 11 September as a 65th-minute substitute for Omer Atzili in a 2–1 home loss to Eibar, and five days later he scored his first goal, opening a 2–2 draw at fellow Andalusians Real Betis.{{cite news|last1=Egea|first1=Pablo|title=Alegría a medias|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2016_17/la-liga/jornada_4/bet_gda/|access-date=21 December 2017|work=Marca|date=16 September 2016|language=es}} Carcela finished with 24 games and five goals across all competitions while his team were relegated in last place.

On 7 July 2017, Olympiacos officially announced the signing of Carcela on a three-year deal.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/Olympiakos/epishmo-paikths-toy-olympiakou-o-karsela.4756725.html|title=Επίσημο: Παίκτης του Ολυμπιακού ο Καρσελά|access-date=5 December 2017|language=el}} He 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,{{Cite news|url=http://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/Superleague/olympiacos/vomva-erikse-o-olympiakos-telos-kapino-karsela-milits-zntielar.4969929.html|title=Βόμβα έριξε ο Ολυμπιακός: Τέλος Καπίνο, Καρσελά, Μίλιτς, Ζντιέλαρ!|work=Contra.gr|access-date=4 December 2017|language=el}} but was reinstated to first-team training sessions on 18 January 2018 under the reign of Oscar Garcia.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/Olympiakos/gurise-stis-proponhseis-o-karsela.5035430.html |title=Γύρισε στις προπονήσεις ο Καρσελά |trans-title=Karsella turned to the training |language=el|publisher=sport24.gr|date=18 January 2018}}

On the last day of the January transfer window, Carcela returned for third time in his career to Standard Liège. Carcela was out of the plans of former coach Takis Lemonis, however received a second chance when Oscar Garcia was appointed. Despite returning to the club's practices in recent weeks, Olympiakos decided to let the player go.{{Cite news|url=http://www.record.pt/internacional/detalhe/carcela-reforca-o-standard-liege.html |title=Carcela reforça o Standard Liège |publisher=www.record.pt |date=1 February 2018}} His former teammate Silvio Proto attributed Carcela's below-par performances for Thrylos to him being unsettled at the club.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsit.gr/athlitika/podosfairo/proto-den-aisthanotan-kala-ston-olympiako-o-karsela/2404565/|title=Προτό: "Δεν αισθανόταν καλά στον Ολυμπιακό ο Καρσελά"|date=2 February 2018|work=Newsit.gr|access-date=2 February 2018|language=el-GR}}

On 17 March 2018, he played as Standard Liège beat Genk 1–0 in extra time to win the 2018 Belgian Cup Final and qualify for the UEFA Europa League.{{Cite web|url=http://m.live.sporza.be/cm/lmc.mobile/m_mc_voetbal/Beker-van-Belgie-1718/MG_BVB_F/1.3162424#|title=Emond knikt Standard na verlengingen naar bekerwinst|website=m.live.sporza.be|language=nl|access-date=14 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521203352/http://m.live.sporza.be/cm/lmc.mobile/m_mc_voetbal/Beker-van-Belgie-1718/MG_BVB_F/1.3162424|archive-date=21 May 2018|url-status=dead}}

Carcela initially chose to represent his country of birth, Belgium, and even played two friendlies with the Red Devils,{{cite news|title=Official: Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez Opts To Represent Belgium At International Level|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/755/europe/2009/10/16/1564253/official-mehdi-carcela-gonzalez-opts-to-represent-belgium-at|publisher=Goal.com|date=16 October 2009|access-date=23 June 2014}}{{cite news|title=Standard Liege's Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez Yet To Decide On International Future|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/468/internationals/2010/09/02/2100711/standard-lieges-mehdi-carcela-gonzalez-yet-to-decide-on|publisher=Goal.com|date=2 September 2010|access-date=23 June 2014}} but in December 2010 he changed his mind and decided to represent Morocco.{{cite news|trans-title=Georges Leekens: "We did everything to get him"|title=Georges Leekens : "On a tout fait pour l'avoir|url=http://www.dhnet.be/sports/diables-rouges/article/335936/georges-leekens-on-a-tout-fait-pour-l-avoir.html|publisher=DHnet|language=fr|date=17 December 2010|access-date=23 June 2014}}

In February 2011, Carcela made his debut with the Atlas Lions of Morocco against Niger in a 3–0 win for his new side, coming on as a late substitute and winning a penalty.{{cite news|title=Morocco 3-0 Niger: Atlas Lions Thrash The Mena Thanks To Mbarak Boussoufa Double|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2011/02/10/2346054/morocco-3-0-niger-atlas-lions-thrash-the-mena-thanks-to|publisher=Goal.com|date=10 February 2011|access-date=23 June 2014}} After making his debut, he spoke out on his decision to play for Morocco, saying that he is proud to represent the national team and that it felt "like a childhood dream".{{cite news|title=I Am Proud That I Chose Morocco – Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2011/02/11/2347278/i-am-proud-that-i-chose-morocco-mehdi-carcela-gonzalez|publisher=Goal.com|date=11 February 2011|access-date=23 June 2014}}

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

On 11 October 2016, Carcela scored his first goal for Morocco in a 4–0 friendly victory against Canada at the Stade de Marrakech.{{cite news |title=Morocco 4 Canada 0: Ziyech double ensures Renard remains unbeaten |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/morocco-4-canada-0-ziyech-211759130.html |website=Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Omnisport |date=11 October 2016 |access-date=11 October 2016}}

Manager Hervé Renard named Carcela in his squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.{{cite news|title=Le Maroc avec Boussoufa, Dirar et Carcela à la CAN|trans-title=Morocco with Boussoufa, Dirar and Carcela at the AFCON|url=https://www.rtbf.be/sport/football/international/detail_le-maroc-avec-mbark-boussoufa-nabil-dirar-et-mehdi-carcela-a-la-can?id=9494420|access-date=21 December 2017|publisher=RTBF|date=4 January 2017|language=fr}} He played one match, the opening 1–0 loss to the DR Congo, in a quarter-final finish.

In May 2018 he was named in Morocco's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.{{cite web|title=Boufal left out of Morocco squad |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/441603882018}}

Carcela was born in Liège, Belgium, to a Spanish father and Moroccan mother.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2009/05/09/1254470/mehdi-carcela-to-choose-morocco|title=Mehdi Carcela To Choose Morocco - Goal.com|website=www.goal.com|access-date=29 December 2017}} He remains in touch with his hometown.{{cite news|trans-title=Medhi Carcela makes his own sports complex in Belgium|title=Mehdi Carcela krijgt eigen sportcomplex in België|url=http://www.bladna.nl/mehdi-carcela-sportcomplex,04140.html|publisher=Bladna.nl|language=nl|date=14 August 2012|access-date=23 June 2014}} His cousin Joachim Carcela is also a professional footballer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sudinfo.be/id92054/article/2018-12-20/joachim-le-cousin-de-mehdi-carcela-etait-lentrainement-public-du-standard|title=Joachim, le cousin de Mehdi Carcela, était à l'entraînement public du Standard|date=December 20, 2018|website=sudinfo.be}}

{{Updated|22 October 2020}}{{cite web|title=Mehdi Carcela-González|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/mehdi-carcela-gonzalez/53398/|website=Soccerway|access-date=9 July 2017}}{{cite web|title=2015–16 Taça de Portugal|url=http://www.zerozero.pt/jogo.php?id=4714661|website=Zerozero|access-date=9 July 2017}}{{cite web|title=Mehdi Carcela-González|url=http://www.superleaguegreece.net/el/teams/team/olympiacos-fc-530/2017-2018-superleague-70/players/mexnti-karsela-2930|website=superleaguegreece.net|access-date=20 August 2017}}

{{notelist}}

:Scores and results list Morocco's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Carcela goal.

{{soccerway|mehdi-carcela-gonzalez/5339|accessdate=15 June 2015}}

Standard Liège

• Belgian Pro League: 2008–09
• Belgian Cup: 2010–11, 2017–18
• Belgian Super Cup: 2009

Anzhi Makhachkala

• Russian Cup runner-up: 2012–13

Benfica

• Primeira Liga: 2015–16
• Taça da Liga: 2015–16

Individual

• Belgian Lion Award: 2015, 2018, 2019

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Mehdi Carcela-González}}

• {{ForaDeJogo}}
• {{Soccerway}}
• {{RBFA player|PH_5287}}

{{Belgian Lion}}

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{{Morocco Squad 2012 Africa Cup of Nations}}

{{Morocco squad 2017 Africa Cup of Nations}}

{{Morocco squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}}

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Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Liège

Category:Belgium men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in Spain

Category:Belgian sportspeople of Moroccan descent

Category:Belgian people of Spanish descent

Category:Moroccan men's footballers

Category:21st-century Moroccan sportsmen

Category:Morocco men's international footballers

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Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain

Category:Standard Liège players

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Category:S.L. Benfica footballers

Category:Granada CF footballers

Category:Olympiacos F.C. players

Category:Belgian Pro League players

Category:Russian Premier League players

Category:Primeira Liga players

Category:La Liga players

Category:Super League Greece players

Category:Dual internationalists (men's football)

Category:2012 Africa Cup of Nations players

Category:2017 Africa Cup of Nations players

Category:Moroccan people of Spanish descent

Category:Belgium men's international footballers

Category:Belgian men's footballers

Category:Belgium men's youth international footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:2018 FIFA World Cup players

Category:21st-century Belgian sportsmen