BENARBIA WILL LEAVE PSG AND FRANCE

The 32-year-old, who has also played for Monaco and Bordeaux in Le Championnat, recently picked up his third 'Fennec d'Or' as the top foreign-based Algerian footballer, but will leave Paris at the end of the season.

However the African star, who has only been a sporadic performer for PSG this season, will not quit football - preferring to continue both playing and his senior role with the Algerian national side.

"I am taking things day by day, said Benarbia to the official PSG website. "I am in a better position to help at the moment, than when I end my career. I think I will stay in football, I would be surprised if I stayed away.

"What I want to do is change leagues and experience something different.

"It is a great pleasure to pick up the Fennec d'Or. Algeria will do everything it can to qualify for the World Cup 2002 in Japan and Korea. It is one of the last goals of my career in order to finish it on a high."

Talking of the miserable season that the French giants have suffered, Benarbia added: "I thought we would challenge for the title this year and have a good run in the Champions League, but I was not allowed to play.

"I thought I would win the League with Paris."