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Man City confirm Guardiola’s exit after 10-year reign, 20 trophies

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Manchester City, Friday, confirmed Pep Guardiola will step down as manager at the end of the 2025-26 season, bringing a defining era in modern football to a close after a decade that reshaped the club’s identity, standards and global standing.

In an official club statement, City announced that Guardiola will depart following the final Premier League match of the campaign against Aston Villa.

The decision ends months of speculation over his long-term future and closes a tenure that began in the summer of 2016, when he arrived from Bayern Munich after already establishing himself as one of football’s most influential coaches at Barcelona and in Germany.

City described his spell as transformative, and the numbers underline that assessment. Guardiola leaves as the most successful manager in the club’s history, having delivered sustained dominance across domestic and European competitions while overseeing one of the most consistent teams English football has ever seen.

His first season at the Etihad was a period of adjustment. Despite high expectations and significant investment, City finished without a trophy in 2016-17. However, that year became the foundation for what followed, as Guardiola reshaped the squad, refined its structure and embedded a positional style built on control, pressing and technical precision.

From 2017-18 onward, the transformation was immediate and sustained. City won six Premier League titles under his leadership, including a record-breaking 100-point campaign and a historic run of four consecutive league titles between 2020-21 and 2023-24. That stretch of dominance effectively reset competitive benchmarks in English football, with City consistently setting standards in points totals, goal scoring and defensive control.

Domestic success extended beyond the league. Guardiola’s City lifted multiple FA Cups and League Cups, regularly reaching the latter stages of competitions even amid congested schedules and squad rotation. The club also secured Community Shield victories that reflected their consistency across seasons.

The defining breakthrough came in the 2022-23 campaign, when City finally captured the UEFA Champions League, defeating Inter Milan in the final to complete a historic treble alongside the Premier League and FA Cup. That achievement placed Guardiola’s side among an elite group in European football history and ended the club’s long pursuit of continental glory.

Momentum did not fade after that landmark season. City added the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup in 2023, becoming one of the few English clubs to achieve global dominance in a single calendar year. Across his tenure, Guardiola is expected to leave with approximately 20 major trophies.

Beyond silverware, his influence is deeply embedded in the modern game. Guardiola redefined positional play in the Premier League, introducing tactical ideas that became widely adopted across Europe. His use of inverted full-backs, flexible midfield structures and positional rotations changed how teams build attacks and control space.

He also elevated a generation of players into world-class status. Kevin De Bruyne became one of the most complete midfielders in the world, while Erling Haaland’s arrival added a new dimension to City’s attack. Phil Foden emerged as a key figure from the academy, and Rodri became central to the team’s control in midfield. Bernardo Silva, among others, thrived in multiple roles under Guardiola’s tactical system.

The decision to step down comes after years in which Guardiola has spoken about the intensity of elite management and the need for breaks between long cycles. While he signed an extension in November 2024 running until 2027, sources indicate both parties agreed to an early exit, allowing for a clean transition at the end of this season.

Attention now turns to succession. Enzo Maresca is widely reported as the leading candidate to take over. A former assistant under Guardiola, Maresca is seen as a continuity choice, offering familiarity with the club’s structure and playing philosophy while also bringing his own managerial identity.

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Ferrari’s Hamilton tears up over Arsenal title, rejects retirement talk

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Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton arrived in Montreal chasing pace at the Canadian Grand Prix, but it was football, not Ferrari, that stirred the deepest emotions on Thursday.

The Ferrari driver revealed Arsenal’s long-awaited Premier League title triumph left him in tears, ending more than two decades of waiting for supporters of the North London club.

For Hamilton, the moment carried far more weight than silverware. It took him back to childhood memories in Stevenage, where he said his sister pushed him into becoming an Arsenal fan while most children around him supported rival clubs.

“I shed a tear, to be honest,” Hamilton said, smiling as he recalled the moment. The Briton described growing up as the only Black child in his neighborhood football circle, surrounded by fans of West Ham, Tottenham and Manchester United, before his sister jokingly insisted he back Arsenal instead. Years later, that decision finally delivered a reward.

Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions after Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth confirmed the title race outcome, ending a 22-year drought and sparking celebrations across English football.

The football conversation quickly spread across the Formula One paddock.

Pierre Gasly, proudly flying the flag for Paris Saint-Germain, wasted little time turning the rivalry toward Europe. The Alpine driver joked that the media session had finally shifted to “real stuff” before backing PSG ahead of their upcoming Champions League showdown with Arsenal. Fresh off another Ligue 1 title, Gasly said he expected a “fantastic game of football” and made it clear he would be fully behind the French giants.

Elsewhere in the paddock, Sergio Perez had international football on his mind. The Mexican driver said he is determined to return home during the season to watch Mexico compete at the World Cup, with matches scheduled in Guadalajara.

Perez admitted the travel schedule would be demanding, requiring a rapid turnaround back to Europe, but insisted the occasion was too important to miss. Hosting a World Cup on home soil, he said, creates belief that anything is possible for Mexico.

Young Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli also joined the discussion, though with mixed emotions. Italy’s absence from the World Cup left the teenager disappointed, but he admitted he still has a soft spot for Brazil and longtime football idol Lionel Messi.

Antonelli described Messi as one of his favorite players growing up and recalled meeting the Argentine star in Miami. While disappointed Italy failed to qualify once again, he tried to laugh off the frustration, calling the situation “a disaster” before saying Italians may simply have to wait another four years.

Hamilton, meanwhile, used the opportunity to shut down growing speculation surrounding his Formula One future.

The Ferrari driver insisted retirement is nowhere near his thinking despite ongoing questions about his form and age. Hamilton, who joined Ferrari from Mercedes last season, has yet to win a race with the Italian team and turns 42 in January. Still, he made it clear he remains fully committed to the sport and to Ferrari’s long-term project.

“I’m still under contract, so everything’s 100% clear to me,” Hamilton said. “I’m still focused, motivated and I still love what I do with all my heart.”

The Briton also pushed back against repeated discussions about his future, saying too many people are attempting to “retire” him from the outside. Hamilton remains Formula One’s most successful driver, owning a record 105 race wins and 104 pole positions.

Montreal also holds special significance in his career. His first Formula One victory came at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve during his rookie season with McLaren in 2007. His latest triumph arrived in Belgium in 2024.

Hamilton insisted he no longer measures success solely through trophies and records, instead focusing on personal and technical progress inside the team.

That mindset has also influenced his preparation for the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. Hamilton revealed he deliberately avoided Ferrari’s simulator at Maranello before traveling to Montreal, believing too much simulator work can sometimes mislead drivers once they reach the actual circuit.

Interestingly, he noted he had skipped simulator preparation before the Chinese Grand Prix earlier this season as well, which produced his strongest Ferrari weekend so far and his first podium finish with the team.

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Turkish rider Toprak Razgatlıoğlu to be honored at Red Bull Ring

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Austrian Grand Prix organizers will honor Toprak Razgatlıoğlu with a dedicated grandstand at the Red Bull Ring, turning this year’s MotoGP round into a landmark moment for Turkish motorsport as he continues his breakthrough at the sport’s highest level.

The announcement came during a media event in Spielberg ahead of the Sept. 18-20 MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix, where key figures from the paddock gathered alongside Razgatlıoğlu.

The lineup included Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Enea Bastianini, and Austrian Moto3 prospect Leo Rammerstorfer.

The session was moderated by Alina Marzi and hosted by Thomas Überall, underscoring the growing promotional push around the Austrian round.

For Razgatlıoğlu, the return to Spielberg carries added significance.

He last competed at the circuit during his Red Bull junior development years, long before stepping onto MotoGP machinery.

Now racing in the premier class with Pramac Yamaha, he described the comeback as both emotional and demanding, noting that adapting to MotoGP pace remains a steep challenge but one he is determined to meet head-on.

He also highlighted the importance of fan presence, expressing hope that Turkish supporters will travel in large numbers. Organisers are reinforcing that vision with the new “Toprak Razgatlıoğlu Grandstand,” which will feature dedicated seating for Turkish fans and themed hospitality elements, including Turkish cuisine, designed to build a home-style atmosphere within the Austrian venue.

Tickets for the grandstand are available through the official Red Bull Ring platform at Red Bull Ring, with the “Toprak Ticket Grandstand T10” option specifically allocated for supporters wishing to sit within the dedicated section during race weekend.

Razgatlıoğlu arrives in MotoGP with a heavyweight resume from the World Superbike Championship, where he claimed world titles in 2021, 2024 and 2025.

His dominance in superbikes established him as one of the most successful riders of his generation before making the leap to MotoGP, becoming the first Turkish rider ever to compete in the series.

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World cultures converge at Istanbul’s 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival

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The 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival opened in Istanbul on Thursday at the Atatürk Airport National Garden, launching a four-day international gathering that places traditional sports, cultural heritage and cross-cultural exchange at the center of a vast public program running through May 24.

Organized by the World Ethnosport Union (WEU), the festival has evolved into a major cultural platform aimed at preserving and revitalizing traditional games and heritage practices that are increasingly overshadowed by modern, commercial sport systems.

This year’s edition reinforces Istanbul’s position as a meeting point between regions and traditions stretching from Central Asia to Europe, East Asia and North Africa.

The opening ceremony brought together senior Turkish officials, including WEU President Bilal Erdoğan, Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak and Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, underscoring the state-level backing behind the event and its expanding cultural footprint.

Ceremonial elements opened the festival with a staged performance in front of the Han Tent area, where students performed the Gülbank tradition, followed by a mehter band performance from the Istanbul Historical Turkish Music Ensemble.

The sequence blended ritual, music and symbolic heritage presentation, setting a formal tone before the start of competitions and exhibitions.

Bilal Erdoğan said this year’s theme, “The world is here,” reflects the presence of athletes, artists and cultural representatives from a wide range of countries, including Japan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Russia and Kyrgyzstan.

He said the festival is designed as a shared cultural space where traditional sports and games act as a bridge between generations, with children positioned at the center of participation and learning.

WEU President Bilal Erdoğan speaks during the opening ceremony of the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 21, 2026. (AA Photo)

WEU President Bilal Erdoğan speaks during the opening ceremony of the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 21, 2026. (AA Photo)

He emphasized that many of the activities are structured to allow young visitors to experience traditional games directly, arguing that early exposure to culturally rooted sports helps preserve identity and strengthens intergenerational continuity.

He also described the festival as a “family structure” where cultural diversity is brought together in a shared environment rather than separated by geography.

Kemal Memişoğlu focused on the health and social dimensions of traditional sports, highlighting disciplines such as archery, oil wrestling, javelin and horseback games.

He said these activities build discipline, coordination, courage and endurance while also serving as a response to what he described as one of the most pressing modern health issues, physical inactivity.

He added that traditional sports can counter the growing pull of digital environments, particularly for younger generations, arguing that cultural athletic practices keep children connected to both physical activity and historical identity. He said a generation rooted in its own history is less vulnerable to social and cultural instability.

Mehmet Nuri Ersoy described culture as a continuous link between past and future, stating that this year’s festival is built around four core principles: peace, solidarity, love and tradition. He said these values are intended to shape not only the festival experience but also broader social awareness.

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy speaks during the opening ceremony of the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 21, 2026. (AA Photo)

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy speaks during the opening ceremony of the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 21, 2026. (AA Photo)

Ersoy also pointed to social responsibility initiatives within the festival grounds, including programs led with civil society groups. These include efforts to highlight humanitarian concerns in conflict-affected regions, with specific attention drawn to crises affecting civilians in places such as Gaza.

Osman Aşkın Bak emphasized Türkiye’s growing investment in sports infrastructure and its increasing role in hosting international competitions. He referenced recent major sporting events and upcoming tournaments, including the UEFA Europa League final held in Istanbul and future events such as the 2032 European Championship and the 2027 European Games.

Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak speaks during the opening ceremony of the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 21, 2026. (AA Photo)

Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak speaks during the opening ceremony of the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 21, 2026. (AA Photo)

He said these developments reflect Türkiye’s ambition to position itself as a global sports hub, while also crediting athletes who have brought international success to the country.

Davut Gül linked the festival to Istanbul’s historical identity, noting its timing during a culturally significant period in the city’s calendar as it approaches the anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül speaks during the opening ceremony of the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 21, 2026. (AA Photo)

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül speaks during the opening ceremony of the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 21, 2026. (AA Photo)

Across the Atatürk Airport National Garden, the festival site has been transformed into a multi-layered cultural landscape.

Dedicated arenas host traditional sports including oil wrestling, horseback archery, belt wrestling, aba wrestling and kok boru, alongside equestrian events such as mounted javelin and other horseback disciplines that emphasize coordination, strength and endurance.

Beyond competition, the festival functions as an open cultural exhibition space.

Country pavilions and nomadic-style tents present traditional clothing, crafts and daily life practices from participating nations, allowing visitors to move through distinct cultural environments within a single venue.

Artisans demonstrate techniques in weaving, metalwork, woodcraft and other heritage skills passed through generations.

An aerial view shows attendees during the opening ceremony of the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 21, 2026. (AA Photo)

An aerial view shows attendees during the opening ceremony of the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 21, 2026. (AA Photo)

Food culture forms a major part of the experience, with regional culinary zones offering traditional dishes that reflect the identity and history of participating countries.

These areas are designed as integrated cultural spaces rather than separate attractions, linking cuisine directly to heritage and community memory.

Family-oriented workshops and interactive zones are spread throughout the grounds, with a strong focus on children. These areas introduce traditional games and crafts in hands-on formats, aligning with the festival’s stated goal of transferring cultural knowledge through experience rather than observation.

A broad program of music and performance runs across multiple stages, featuring folk ensembles, dance groups and contemporary interpretations of traditional forms.

Participation from countries such as Spain, Palestine, Morocco and Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside Central Asian and East Asian delegations, highlights the festival’s widening international scope.

Free and open to the public, the festival is expected to draw large crowds throughout its run, with peak attendance anticipated over the weekend as visitors move between sporting arenas, cultural villages and performance spaces spread across the extensive site.



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Prince William revels in Villa’s Europa League glory after 30 years

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In front of England’s future king, Unai Emery once again proved himself the undisputed king of the Europa League.

Aston Villa swept aside Freiburg 3-0 in Istanbul on Wednesday, handing Emery a record-extending fifth title in Europe’s second-tier competition and ending the club’s 30-year wait for major silverware.

Among the jubilant Villa supporters inside Tüpraş Stadium was lifelong fan Prince William, who watched his beloved club complete a remarkable revival under the Spanish manager.

“Amazing night!! Huge congratulations to all the players, team, staff and everyone connected to the club!” the prince wrote on X.

William joined the celebrations at full time, pulling out his phone to capture the moment captain John McGinn hoisted the trophy as confetti rained down across the stadium.

“He’s a classy guy. He was in the dressing room before the game and he’s a massive Villa fan, so he was never going to miss it,” McGinn told TNT Sports.

It was Villa’s first major piece of silverware since the English League Cup in 1996 and its first continental title since the European Cup and Super Cup in 1982.

Was the outcome ever in doubt with the Europa League specialist Emery on the sideline?

The Spanish coach has enjoyed remarkable success in Europe’s second-tier competition, winning it three straight seasons with Sevilla from 2014-16 and again with Villarreal in 2021.

Now he has led a third team with “Villa” in its name to the title.

“I am always very grateful for Europe, for every competition, Conference League, Champions League, Europa League, but especially the Europa League,” Emery said. “We fought strongly in this competition and tried to give it our best. We played in a very serious way this year.”

Two first-half goals from Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendia put Villa into a 2-0 lead at the break. Morgan Rogers added a third in the second half.

German club Freiburg, which was playing in the second division 10 years ago, was outclassed in its first European final.

Villa was in England’s second tier as recently as 2019. And while it was the overwhelming favorite going into Wednesday’s match, occasions like this looked a long way off when Emery was hired in 2022.

Back then, Villa was one place above the relegation zone and in danger of going down again.

The transformation he has overseen has been remarkable, leading the team into the Champions League last season and qualifying for European club soccer’s top competition again next term.

“With this manager in charge, anything is possible,” said McGinn, a Scotland international. “Tonight was just everything we have built coming together, and the pride I felt at 3-0 with 10 minutes to go, thinking we’re European champions, was something I can’t even describe.

“It’s the proudest moment and night of my career so far.”

Tielemans put Villa ahead with a controlled volley from Rogers’ cross in the 41st minute, driving his shot past Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu.

Three minutes into first-half stoppage time, Buendia doubled the lead with a curling left-footed shot from outside the box that flew into the top corner.

Rogers scored in the 58th minute when he slid in at the near post to turn Buendia’s cross over the line.

“We had a great season and to top it off with this is amazing,” Tielemans said.

The victory was further personal redemption for Emery, who was fired by Arsenal in November 2019 despite having led the team to the Europa League final earlier that year, which it lost to Chelsea.

A serial winner, he has now lifted trophies with clubs in three countries, including domestic honors with Paris Saint-Germain.

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‘Villaman’ Emery hits another Europa League jackpot with Aston Villa

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Unai Emery turned Aston Villa’s long wait for silverware into a night of European glory on Wednesday, guiding the English club to a commanding 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul and cementing his legacy as the competition’s greatest modern manager.

For Villa supporters packed inside Vodafone Park and millions watching back in Birmingham, it was more than a trophy. It was the end of a 30-year drought, the rebirth of one of England’s sleeping giants and another masterclass from a coach who continues to thrive on Europe’s biggest nights outside the Champions League.

Emery’s fifth Europa League crown, more than any manager in history, underlined why he has earned nicknames such as “Mr Europa League” and now “Villaman” after transforming Aston Villa into a disciplined, fearless and tactically ruthless side.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Europa League following a win against Freiburg at Beşiktaş Park, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 20, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Europa League following a win against Freiburg at Beşiktaş Park, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 20, 2026. (AFP Photo)

The Spaniard arrived in the Midlands in late 2022 with Villa drifting dangerously close to the Premier League relegation zone and supporters clinging to memories of the club’s golden eras. Less than four years later, he has taken them back into the Champions League and delivered their first major trophy since the 1996 League Cup.

Against Freiburg, Villa produced the perfect Emery performance.

Youri Tielemans opened the scoring with a composed finish after Villa’s relentless pressing forced mistakes deep in Freiburg territory. Emi Buendia doubled the advantage before halftime after a flowing counterattack carved the German side apart, while Morgan Rogers capped the night with a clinical third goal that sent Villa fans into delirium.

Behind the attacking quality was the structure Emery has become famous for throughout Europe. Villa defended compactly, suffocated Freiburg’s midfield spaces and attacked with precision whenever opportunities opened. Emiliano Martinez preserved another clean sheet to complete a dominant display despite breaking a finger during pre-match warmup.

“This final is the confirmation about how we are progressing,” Emery told TNT Sports. “Europe gave us a lot.”

The victory completed another remarkable European campaign for Villa, who swept through the knockout stages with authority. They hammered Bologna 4-0 in the quarterfinals and overwhelmed Nottingham Forest 4-0 in the semifinal second leg at Villa Park, performances that showcased the balance Emery has built between defensive resilience and attacking flair.

Players and supporters celebrated wildly at the final whistle, knowing the club had finally returned to the European stage where it once belonged. Among the jubilant fans in Istanbul was Prince William, Villa’s most famous supporter, who described the triumph as an “amazing night” on social media.

Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales (C) attends the UEFA Europa League final football match between SC Freiburg and Aston Villa at Besiktas Park in Istanbul on May 20, 2026. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)

Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales (C) attends the UEFA Europa League final football match between SC Freiburg and Aston Villa at Besiktas Park in Istanbul on May 20, 2026. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)

Villa captain John McGinn fought back emotion as he reflected on the club’s journey from instability and second-tier football to European champions.

“I can’t believe it, to be honest,” McGinn said. “This club was close to being in a right bad way seven years ago. Tonight was everything we’ve built coming together.”

“We’ll go down in history.”

For Emery, the latest triumph adds another chapter to one of football’s most extraordinary managerial records. He won three straight Europa League titles with Sevilla between 2014 and 2016, lifted the trophy again with Villarreal in 2021 and has now done it with Aston Villa.

Remarkably, every club he has conquered Europe with shares the letters “villa” in its name: Sevilla, Villarreal and Aston Villa.

Despite the growing mythology around his European success, Emery continues to reject the idea of being the competition’s king. Before the final, he insisted he was simply focused on preparation and improving his team rather than adding to his legacy.

Yet his influence on Villa is impossible to ignore.

Under Emery, Villa have evolved into one of England’s most organized and dangerous sides. Ollie Watkins has flourished as a relentless attacking spearhead, Tielemans has controlled midfield battles with intelligence and Rogers has emerged as one of the team’s brightest attacking weapons. Around them, Emery has built a squad capable of competing with Europe’s elite.

The Europa League triumph also guarantees Villa a place in next season’s Champions League regardless of their final Premier League finish, another major step in the ambitious project led by owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

More importantly, it signals that Aston Villa are no longer merely chasing history. They are creating it again.

For years, Villa supporters spoke nostalgically about the club’s 1982 European Cup triumph and the glory days that followed. In Istanbul, under the guidance of football’s ultimate Europa League specialist, they finally had a new generation-defining moment to celebrate.

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UEFA chief Ceferin praises Türkiye’s record as major finals host

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UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said Türkiye’s successful staging of three UEFA finals since 2019 has demonstrated the country’s ability to host Europe’s biggest football events at the highest level.

Speaking exclusively to Anadolu Agency (AA), Ceferin said Türkiye should no longer be viewed as an emerging football nation but as one of the game’s major powers.

“When you come here, you see the stadiums, the clubs, the supporters, the media interest and the commitment from both the government and the federation. All the necessary ingredients are in place,” he said.

“But more importantly, you feel the genuine passion for football. In Türkiye, football is part of everyday life, not something limited to matchdays. That is your greatest strength, but it also comes with great responsibility.”

Ceferin also praised his relationship with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), describing cooperation as professional and constructive.

TFF President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, Ceferin said, is someone he holds in high regard, not only for his seriousness and determination in addressing integrity issues in Turkish football but also for the sincerity and warmth he brings to the role.

Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu (2nd L) welcomes UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin (C) at Atatürk Airport, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 19, 2026. (IHA Photo)

Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu (2nd L) welcomes UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin (C) at Atatürk Airport, Istanbul, Türkiye, May 19, 2026. (IHA Photo)

“He clearly understands that transparency and accountability are essential to the game’s credibility, and his efforts are helping restore trust among clubs, players, referees and supporters alike,” Ceferin said.

Türkiye’s rise as a major football host

Asked whether UEFA was satisfied with Türkiye’s hosting of the 2019 UEFA Super Cup, the 2023 UEFA Champions League final and the upcoming 2026 UEFA Europa League final at Beşiktaş Park, Ceferin said UEFA would not repeatedly return to Istanbul without confidence in the city and federation.

“The 2019 Super Cup, the 2023 Champions League final and now the 2026 Europa League final at Beşiktaş Park are evidence that Türkiye can deliver major UEFA events,” he said.

“Transport, security, fan flow and arrival and departure from the stadium are areas where we can still improve the overall fan experience. But the general conclusion is positive.”

He called Istanbul one of Europe’s great football cities, saying it is always a pleasure to return.

EURO 2032 and stadium infrastructure

Ceferin also praised Türkiye’s stadium infrastructure ahead of the jointly hosted UEFA Euro 2032 with Italy.

“Many countries in Europe have been talking about new stadiums for 20 years, and then nothing happens,” he said.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin poses for a photo after an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), Istanbul, Türkiye, May 19, 2026. (AA Photo)

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin poses for a photo after an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), Istanbul, Türkiye, May 19, 2026. (AA Photo)

“Türkiye walked the talk and built excellent facilities. That makes a big difference.”

He added that Türkiye has recognized this and gained a serious advantage over many European countries.

Ceferin said Türkiye should not have waited 24 years to return to the FIFA World Cup and expects the national team to be highly motivated at the 2026 tournament.

“Now the task is not only to participate but also to behave like a team that belongs there. Be brave and be competitive,” he said.

Turkish midfield talent

Asked which Turkish players had impressed him most, Ceferin praised the national team’s midfield quality.

“Very few teams in the world have such a talented midfield as Türkiye does,” he said.

Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız are “exceptional talents and the present and future of European football,” he added, while Hakan Çalhanoğlu “brings authority and experience.”

Clubs urged to seek consistency in Europe

Ceferin said Turkish clubs should aim for sustained success in Europe rather than isolated achievements.

Galatasaray’s return to the European spotlight is an important signal, he said, noting the club’s ambition after winning a fourth consecutive Süper Lig title and reaching the Champions League round of 16.

“Turkish clubs should not be satisfied with emotional victories or one big night. They must be a protagonist in UEFA competitions every year, including the Champions League,” he said.

He also praised recent European performances by Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş, Istanbul Basaksehir and Sivasspor.

Patience and long-term planning

“The progress has been made, but the next step is more difficult: to compete every year without treating it as a miracle,” he said.

Ceferin described impatience as the main weakness of Turkish football, saying too many decisions are made emotionally and too many clubs think short term.

“If Türkiye wants to take the next step, it is not enough to buy famous players or build impressive stadiums,” he said.

“You need academies, coaching, refereeing, financial discipline and women’s football. Investing in youth is always the best bet.”

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