Türkiye is among the countries where football holds a special place in everyone’s heart. However, the nation previously experienced a period of stagnation in its footballers’ form and thus did not reap any rewards in either Turkish or international leagues. Recently, it has regained its agile form and may have potentially entered its Golden Era, marked by a generation of successful players.
Talented Turkish footballers have reminded both their nation and the world that Turkish football has returned to its promising form with their achievements in the Summer 2024 European Championship, and they continue to demonstrate brilliance in their own leagues. Two Turkish players, in particular, have been making waves recently: the young talent Kenan Yıldız of Juventus and the wizard of Benfica, Kerem Aktürkoğlu.
The 19-year-old Juventini Yıldız has proven himself to be a rising force in both the present and future of football. In his recent performance against Inter in the Derby d’Italia, he scored two goals in just over 10 minutes, making him the youngest player to achieve this success in the history of Serie A.
Born and raised in Germany, Yıldız began his football journey in the academy of his hometown teams, Sallern and Jahn Regensburg. Later, at the age of 7, he joined the youth academy of Bayern Munich, where he honed his skills. He rose through the upper youth ranks and advanced to Bayern’s U19 team. Although his contract with Bayern eventually expired, he had already appeared on the radar of elite European clubs due to his promising potential.
Yıldız caught the attention of one of Italy's iconic teams, Juventus, and soon completed his transfer to its U19 team, where he progressed rapidly. For the Virtus Verona match, he was called up to the Juventus Next Gen and made his professional debut as a substitute.
Furthermore, his Serie A debut took place in August 2023, when he came off the bench in the second half. His contract with the club was extended afterward, and Yıldız played his first match for the senior team in December 2023. During the match, he scored the opening goal in a 2-1 win and became the club’s youngest international goalscorer in Serie A, at only 18 years old.
Yıldız’s football intelligence and promising skills secured his place in Serie A, leading Juventus to extend his contract until 2029. He was also given the number 10 jersey, making him the heir to the great Alessandro Del Piero. Questions began to circulate among the Juventinis: Could the starboy live up to the expectations of his number?
In September, Yıldız proved his remarkable talent by scoring the opener in the UEFA Champions League home match against PSV Eindhoven with a curling shot. This goal was highly significant for both the club and Yıldız, as it marked the first-ever score in the league phase of the tournament and earned Kenan the title of youngest Juventus player to score in a Champions League match, surpassing Del Piero.
On Sunday, October 27, Juventus faced the reigning champion of the Italian Serie A, Inter Milan. The first half ended with Inter ahead 3-2. Although the Nerazzurri scored yet another goal in the second half, with the entrance of Yıldız in the 62nd minute, the fate of the game changed. He scored two goals in a row within 11 minutes, and the match ended in a 4-4 draw. While the starboy secured the MVP Award of the match, he also became the youngest player to score two goals in a match between Juventus and Inter Milan in Serie A history. He was referred to as “The Hero Yıldız” by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Following the impressive success he has achieved on the field, Kenan was among the nominees for the 2024 Golden Boy award, which recognizes the best young player under 21 in Europe, alongside his Turkish National Football Team teammate, Arda Güler of Real Madrid.
The starboy also makes notable contributions to the Turkish National Team, which he chose over Germany. He delivered a crucial performance last summer with his dynamic play, scoring goals and providing assists during the European Championship. Yıldız currently continues to play his part for the national team on the green fields in the UEFA Nations League.
While his Türkiye national team teammate solidifies his name in Italian football, Kerem Aktürkoğlu is taking Portugal by storm. Ever since his transfer from Galatasaray to SL Benfica, Aktürkoğlu has been showcasing outstanding gameplay, highlighted by mesmerizing hat-tricks.
Aktürkoğlu started his football career at a young age with local clubs in Anatolia, including Gölcükspor and 24Erzincanspor. Eventually, thanks to his relentless determination and devotion to the sport, he rose to join one of Türkiye’s largest football clubs, Galatasaray.
After his transfer to Galatasaray in 2020, he made a breakthrough and quickly became one of the team’s key offensive players. With his speed in attack and finishing techniques, Aktürkoğlu contributed significantly to Galatasaray’s success in both Turkish and international tournaments.
At the beginning of September, Kerem Aktürkoğlu opened a new chapter in his career by transferring to the Portuguese Primeira Liga team Benfica with a five-year contract. His time at Benfica has been very successful so far, as he either scores or assists in Portuguese League and Champions League matches. In his debut wearing the Benfica jersey, Kerem started in the lineup and scored his first goal, assisted by Orkun Kökçü, against CD Santa Clara.
Since his first match with the team, Aktürkoğlu has been working wonders with his teammate Kökçü, who is also his national team teammate. They demonstrate complementary skills that create harmony on the field. Kökçü, playing in midfield, contributes both defensively and offensively, creating opportunities for players like Aktürkoğlu, who positions himself as a winger. His strategic passes support Kerem’s attacks in the opponent’s half, enhancing Benfica’s offensive strength.
“I think Kerem joining us is good for both of us. Kerem is an amazing player and a good person. For me, it felt like the national team spirit,” stated Kökçü during a press conference.
Aktürkoğlu stands out with his incredible hat-tricks, which became one of his signatures at the green fields. The 26-year-old footballer previously recorded two hat-tricks with Galatasaray, one with 24Erzincanspor and one more with the Turkish National Team against Iceland. On October 27, Aktürkoğlu achieved his fifth career hat-trick and his first Primeira Liga hat-trick in the first half of the 5-0 victory match against Rio Ave. Just like his goal celebration referencing Harry Potter, he executes the hat-tricks like a wizard.
His statistics show how brilliant the season has been for him. The magician has played five league matches and three UEFA Champions League matches for Benfica so far, raising his goal tally to eight. The Benfiquistas embraced the Turkish wizard right away, giving him standing ovations for displaying his energetic and determined spirit in his play.
Alongside Yıldız, Aktürkoğlu, and Kökçü, players like Arda Güler at Real Madrid, Hakan Çalhanoğlu at Inter Milan, Ferdi Kadıoğlu at Brighton, and many more Turkish footballers across Europe represent outstanding skill and great sportsmanship. Together, they contribute to the establishment of a new golden era in Turkish football history. It would be reasonable to assume that with players like them, our national team promises further victories in future tournaments.
Edited by: Derya Selin Yener, Oya Yamaç