Former Turkish international Arda Turan has publicly voiced strong support for the Turkish Football Federation’s president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, head coach Vincenzo Montella, and the current national team squad.
In a statement shared via Le Marca Sports, the 39-year-old former Galatasaray, Atlético Madrid, and Barcelona midfielder expressed deep pride in the federation’s leadership and the team’s recent performances.
Turan, who earned 100 caps and scored 17 goals for Turkey making him one of the nation’s most-capped players ever said the players see him as their big brother. “They gave us an indescribable joy,” he said, referring to the national team’s achievements. He added, “Hopefully, they’ll be very successful in the World Cup too. My heart is with them.” The former left winger and attacking midfielder, who also played on the right wing during his career, retired from professional football and now works as a manager.
Turan rose to prominence at his boyhood club Galatasaray before enjoying a trophy-laden spell at Atlético Madrid. He later moved to Barcelona in 2015, though his time there was limited by injuries and form.