Player Profile #2: Emre Belözoğlu

Today we’ll take a look at one of my personal favorite footballers, Emre. Most Turks call him by his nickname “Kuchuk Emre”, “Little Emre”.

Emre Belözoğlu began football in one of Istanbul’s lower league teams, Zeytinburnuspor. Emre was spotted by Galatasaray scouts while playing at the young age of 14. They were immediatly impressed by his awesome ball control skills, his ability to get past defenders, and perhaps most importantly his amazing left foot. At the age of 16, Galatasaray’s legendary coach, Fatih Terim (now coach of the Turkish national team), brought him into the first team. Towards the end of the season, during a title determining game agaisnt rivals Besiktas, Emre entered the game with the score tied at 2-2. Then out of nowhere, Emre scored a stunning left-footed strike, winning the game and the title.

Emre continued to develop his skill with Galatasaray. Romanian super-star Gheorghe Hagi called him the “most gifted left-footed player” that he had seen. It seemed that the sky was the limit for Emre as he won four titles, 2 Turkish cups, 1 UEFA cup, and 1 UEFA Super Cup with Galatasaray by the age of 21. Many European clubs had wanted his signature, but it was Inter that Emre decided to sign with on a free transfer in the summer of 2001.

With Inter, Emre really began to hone his skills. The Inter faithful called him the “Maradona of the Bosphorous” and his was given the “Golden Pirate” award as the best Inter player after the 2002-2003 season where Inter reached the semi-finals of the champions league. However after an injury plagued season, Emre decided to leave Inter for english side Newcastle United.

At Newcastle, Emre once again gained a great run of form. However his persistent injuries hamper his efforts at the English club. At the age of 27 Emre is once again on the transfer list and is linked with a move to Bayern Munich and even his old club Galatasaray.

Despite his problems at teh club level, Emre has been a consistent preformer for the national team. Hi sgoal against Norway is the only reason why Turkey is in the finals anyway. His left footed shots, sheer strength in the small body, and his ability to see the best pass makes Emre vital for the national side.