Barış Alper Yılmaz, the 25-year-old Turkish international, took on the role of stand-in captain for Galatasaray during their Süper Lig match against Göztepe on April 8, 2026.
The away game ended in a 3-1 victory for Galatasaray, with Yılmaz scoring the opening goal. Following the match, he described the experience as a source of pride and an almost indescribable feeling.
In an interview, Yılmaz focused on the collective strength of the squad. He reported that while the team has its designated captains, there are also "invisible captains" whose leadership off the pitch is just as vital. “Today I became the captain, and this is truly very pride-inducing. But of course, we're talking about Icardi here; he's a very special person. He's the name that made a generation of Galatasaray fans.”
He emphasized the importance of team unity and the family atmosphere within the club, explaining that such an environment makes every player feel valued and motivated.