Çalhanoğlu Responds to Transfer Rumors, Reflects on Turkey's World Cup Exit
Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
Interview
Named sources
Context piece
- Hakan Çalhanoğlu discusses his physical and mental condition, stating he is recovering well after the World Cup break.
- He expresses disappointment over Turkey's World Cup performance but remains committed to trying again in 2030.
- Çalhanoğlu reflects on his career development, his current happiness at Inter, and his future, which he states is not yet decided.
Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu has addressed speculation about his future and Turkey's recent World Cup performance, emphasizing his current well-being and commitment to his club.
I'm fine. I'm getting better.
"I'm fine. I'm getting better," Çalhanoğlu stated in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, crediting extra rest after the World Cup for his recovery. "Mentally, I was a bit exhausted, but I had the chance to recover. Now the training is intense, we run a lot, but I'm getting better."
Reflecting on Turkey's World Cup campaign, the captain expressed deep disappointment. "We thought we would achieve something important. We were chasing a big dream after 24 years, but it didn't turn out as we hoped. Unfortunately, these things happen in football. As captain, I am very sorry because our country is very passionate about football. But we have to look ahead. I don't give up and I'm ready to try again in 2030."
Mentally, I was a bit exhausted, but I had the chance to recover. Now the training is intense, we run a lot, but I'm getting better.
Çalhanoğlu also touched upon his evolution as a player, moving from a No. 10 to a deeper midfield role. He credits his development to early work with his father and later coaches, including Stefan Gross. He acknowledged that playmakers like him might be less common now but believes there are still many talented midfielders with different skill sets.
We thought we would achieve something important. We were chasing a big dream after 24 years, but it didn't turn out as we hoped. Unfortunately, these things happen in football. As captain, I am very sorry because our country is very passionate about football. But we have to look ahead. I don't give up and I'm ready to try again in 2030.
Regarding his club future, Çalhanoğlu expressed contentment at Inter Milan and in the city of Milan. However, he noted that contract renewal talks have not yet begun. "The future doesn't depend on me, it depends on the club," he said, while also highlighting the team's success over the past five years, including eight trophies and two Champions League finals. "We've done great things. The fans love me, and I love them. We'll see what happens."
The future doesn't depend on me, it depends on the club.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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