Sports
Alperen Şengün makes history as 2nd Turkish player to become an NBA All-Star
HOUSTON
Houston Rockets center Alperen Şengün was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career on Thursday.
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Drafted as the 16th pick in 2021 from Türkiye, the 22-year-old is averaging 19.1 points, 10.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game this season, emerging as one of the Rockets’ standout players.
The Rockets currently hold second place in the Western Conference with a record of 32 wins and 14 losses, thanks in large part to Şengün’s contributions.
His selection marks a historic milestone as he becomes only the second Turkish player in NBA history to earn an All-Star spot, following Mehmet Okur in 2007.
Şengün was named among the Western Conference reserves, joining a star-studded lineup that includes Anthony Davis and James Harden. The Eastern Conference reserves feature Damian Lillard, Jaylen Brown and Pascal Siakam, among others.
– NBA All-Star 2025
The NBA All-Star Game, set for Feb. 16, will bring together 24 of the league’s top talents, including 10 starters announced last week and 14 reserves selected by NBA head coaches.
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Each conference’s reserves include two guards, three frontcourt players and two additional players at any position.
For the Western Conference, Şengün joins fellow first-time All-Stars Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Williams, alongside seasoned veterans like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, who were named starters.
In the Eastern Conference, rising stars such as Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley make their debuts alongside established names like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum.
Türkiye’s volleyball leadership and national team players brought the sport’s growing sustainability ambitions to the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, highlighting a new solar energy project designed to reduce the federation’s electricity costs and support the development of future generations of athletes.
Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF) President Mehmet Akif Üstündağ and national team players Derya Cebecioğlu and Dilay Özdemir attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which Türkiye is hosting from Nov. 9-20, bringing together representatives from around the world to discuss climate action and environmental sustainability.
They took part in a panel titled “Powering the Game, Changing the World” on the conference’s opening day, alongside Arçelik CEO Can Dinçer.
Koç Holding Vice Chairman Ali Koç also attended the session, which examined how renewable energy investments can support sports organizations, promote sustainability and contribute to wider social change.
The discussion focused on a new partnership between Arçelik and the TVF that goes beyond conventional sponsorship by introducing a renewable energy investment intended to provide long-term financial and environmental benefits.
Under the agreement, Arçelik will establish a solar power plant with an installed capacity of approximately 6 megawatts in Gümüşhane. The facility will generate electricity to meet the federation’s energy needs, while surplus production will provide an additional source of revenue.
Dinçer said the project reflected Arçelik’s commitment to sustainability and could serve as a model for other sports organizations.
“At Arçelik, we have continued producing and investing in our country for 71 years. Sustainability is at the center of how we do business,” he said. “Together with the Turkish Volleyball Federation, we have developed a model that will deliver benefits beyond the sponsorship period.”
He said the solar plant would help meet the federation’s electricity needs while generating income from excess energy production.
“We are pleased to bring such an innovative project to life and thank our president for his support,” Dinçer added.
Üstündağ described the initiative as an investment in the long-term future of Turkish volleyball, emphasizing that the federation’s ambitions extend beyond achievements on the court.
“Turkish volleyball has reached the top in Europe and around the world through our national teams and clubs. However, our goals are not limited to sporting success,” he said.
He noted that the federation’s facilities consume significant amounts of electricity and that the partnership would provide a sustainable solution to an important operational expense.
“Today, we are here, but tomorrow we may not be. This project, however, will continue. The lights in our facilities will remain on, and future generations of the Sultans of the Net and the Efes of the Net will continue to develop there,” Üstündağ said.
He stressed that the agreement represented more than a commercial sponsorship, describing it as a shared commitment to the future of the sport.
“This is much more than a sponsorship agreement. It is a partnership built on shared values and a common journey,” he said, thanking Arçelik, Koç Holding Honorary Chairman and Board Member Rahmi Koç, and everyone involved in making the project possible.
Üstündağ also acknowledged the contributions of sponsors, clubs, coaches and other stakeholders to the development of Turkish volleyball, saying the federation would continue working to justify their support.
Looking ahead, he identified an Olympic medal as one of the federation’s major ambitions, expressing hope that Türkiye would achieve further success at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Patience and sustained support
National team player Derya Cebecioğlu said long-term support was essential in professional sports, where athletes face demanding training schedules, injuries and occasional surgeries throughout their careers.
She thanked the federation’s leadership for consistently supporting players through the difficult stages of their journeys, stressing that sporting achievements were the result of years of dedication rather than overnight success.
“Everyone knows that we became European champions this year and won the Volleyball Nations League (VNL). However, these achievements did not happen in a single day,” Cebecioğlu said.
She pointed to Türkiye’s runner-up finish at the world level two years earlier, when the team lost a final, as an example of the perseverance required to reach the top.
“Success is the result of a long process, patience and hard work. It requires a lengthy journey, and remaining patient throughout that journey is extremely important,” she said.
Cebecioğlu expressed confidence that the national team’s recent achievements would provide a foundation for further success, adding that the players remained committed to working hard and bringing more honors to the country.
Influence on young girls
Meanwhile, national team player Dilay Özdemir highlighted the responsibility athletes carry as role models, particularly for young girls who follow their performances and aspire to pursue professional volleyball.
Having grown up in a sporting family, with both her parents former volleyball players, Özdemir said she understood the importance of inspiration and the influence successful athletes can have on younger generations.
“Knowing that young girls watching us are inspired by what we do increases our sense of responsibility and motivation. Being able to serve as role models for them means a great deal to us,” she said.
She noted that the growing success of women’s volleyball in Türkiye had helped increase interest in the sport, creating greater opportunities to attract and develop young talent.
However, she stressed that reaching the highest level required considerable commitment and sacrifice, making the support of young athletes particularly important.
“Seeing the belief in the eyes of little girls and the trust they place in us pushes us to go even further,” Özdemir said.
She argued that creating opportunities for the next generation did not necessarily require extensive resources, but rather basic facilities, equipment and committed coaches who believed in young athletes.
“For sustainability, I think the most important things are a volleyball court, a ball and a coach who believes in young girls,” she said.
Özdemir expressed hope that the new solar energy partnership would help open doors for more children, allowing them to pursue their ambitions and contribute to the future of Turkish volleyball.
Turkish sports community paid tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on Tuesday, marking the 88th anniversary of the death of the founder of the Republic of Türkiye with commemorative ceremonies and messages across the country.
Atatürk died at Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul at 9:05 a.m. on Nov. 10, 1938. The anniversary is observed nationwide each year, with a minute of silence at the exact time of his death, as sirens sound and public life briefly comes to a standstill.
The main national ceremony took place at Anıtkabir in Ankara, where President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and senior state officials paid their respects.
Türkiye’s sporting community also joined the commemorations, with federations and clubs highlighting Atatürk’s role in the country’s independence and the establishment of the Republic, while pledging to preserve the principles he left behind.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) was among the organizations to issue a commemorative statement, remembering Atatürk with respect, longing and gratitude.
“We commemorate the founder of our Republic, our Great Leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with respect, longing and mercy on the 88th anniversary of his departure from among us,” the federation said.
The TFF described Nov. 10 as more than a day of remembrance, saying it also offered an opportunity for the nation to renew its commitment to protecting the Republic and pursuing Atatürk’s vision of contemporary civilization.
The federation also honored Atatürk’s comrades-in-arms, as well as the country’s martyrs and veterans.
The Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) similarly emphasized Atatürk’s leadership during the independence struggle and his role in laying the foundations of the Republic.
It described the Republic as the country’s greatest source of pride and strongest guarantee of confidence in the future, pledging to continue following the path established by its founder.
The Turkish Volleyball Federation and Turkish Handball Federation also shared messages of remembrance, expressing gratitude for Atatürk’s legacy and reaffirming their commitment to the values associated with the Republic.
Football clubs across the country joined the tributes, with several of the country’s biggest teams using the anniversary to underline their historical connections to Atatürk and the ideals of the Republic.
Fenerbahçe said it continued to see Atatürk’s influence in the dedication and achievements of its athletes, as well as in the hopes and aspirations of younger generations.
The Istanbul club pledged to uphold the Republic and ensure that Atatürk’s ideas and principles were passed on to future generations through its athletes and supporters.
Beşiktaş marked the occasion with a ceremony at the Dolmabahçe side of Tüpraş Stadium. Club president Serdal Adalı, board members and athletes gathered for the commemoration, observing a minute of silence at 9:05 a.m. before singing the national anthem.
Club representatives later laid flowers in the room at Dolmabahçe Palace where Atatürk died.
Galatasaray and other clubs competing in the Süper Lig and lower divisions also published messages expressing their respect and longing for the Republic’s founder. The Turkish national football team held its own commemorative ceremony.
The remembrance extended beyond official statements and ceremonies, with the TFF also ensuring that Atatürk’s anniversary was marked during professional football matches.
The federation instructed that a one-minute silence be observed before all professional league fixtures scheduled between Nov. 6 and 11. Clubs were also permitted to wear black armbands as a mark of respect.
The measures brought the commemorations onto football pitches across the country, allowing players, officials and supporters to participate in the nationwide observance.
Across Türkiye, schools, public institutions, local authorities and private organizations also held ceremonies and paid tribute to Atatürk at 9:05 a.m.
Lionel Messi added another distinction to his decorated career Monday, earning a record-extending 18th selection to the FIFPRO Men’s World XI as professional footballers overlooked Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane.
The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward returned to the team for the first time since 2023 after receiving votes from professional players around the world. He was selected alongside Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal in a formidable four-man attack.
The selection came a day after Messi secured another individual honor, winning the 2026 Major League Soccer Golden Boot for a second consecutive season. He became the first player in league history to claim the award in successive years after finishing the regular season with 26 goals.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also registered 17 assists, giving him a league-leading 43 goal contributions and further underlining his influence at Inter Miami.
His return to the FIFPRO team extends a record that began with his first selection in 2007. The Argentine had featured in every edition through 2023 before missing the next two teams.
Kane’s absence was among the biggest surprises in the men’s selection. The Bayern Munich striker won the Ballon d’Or after an outstanding 2025-26 campaign, helping his club secure the Bundesliga title and leading England to the World Cup semifinals, but failed to make the final 11.
Yamal, meanwhile, became the first player to earn two FIFPRO World XI selections before turning 20. The 19-year-old also featured in last year’s team and was joined by three other Spain internationals, goalkeeper David Raya, defender Pau Cubarsi and midfielder Rodri.
Spain’s influence was also evident in the women’s selection, with Barcelona providing a strong contingent. Midfielders Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, both three-time Ballon d’Or Feminin winners, were among the players recognized.
Paris Saint-Germain had three representatives in the men’s team, with Morocco international Achraf Hakimi, Portugal’s Nuno Mendes and midfielder Vitinha all earning places. Jude Bellingham was the other Real Madrid player selected alongside Mbappe.
Messi was the only men’s team member playing for a club outside Europe. Hakimi, meanwhile, was the only representative from an African national team.
The women’s World XI featured a historic achievement for England defender Lucy Bronze, who earned a record ninth selection. The Chelsea right-back became the most decorated player in the history of the women’s team, which was first introduced in 2015.
Zambia and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda was the only player from outside England and Spain in the women’s lineup. She secured her third selection after also making the 2024 and 2025 teams.
The women’s side included five players from European champion England and five from Spain. The United States had no representative for another year.
FIFPRO said 19,806 male players from 73 countries voted for the men’s team, while the women’s selection was decided by players from 64 countries. The overall voting process involved 26,317 professional footballers from 75 countries.
Messi’s Golden Boot
Messi’s latest FIFPRO recognition followed another landmark achievement in the United States, where he became the first player to win the MLS Golden Boot in consecutive seasons.
The Argentine finished the 2026 regular season with 26 goals, four ahead of FC Dallas forward Petar Musa, who scored 22. Nashville SC striker Sam Surridge finished third with 21.
It was Messi’s second Golden Boot and made him the sixth player to win the award twice, joining Bradley Wright-Phillips, Chris Wondolowski, Jeff Cunningham, Taylor Twellman and Preki.
He previously claimed the honor in 2025 after scoring 29 goals and providing 19 assists. His latest achievement came in his fourth MLS season and continued an exceptional run of individual performances since joining Inter Miami.
Messi could add another award to his collection by becoming the first three-time winner of the Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player award. He previously claimed the honor in 2024 and 2025, and was among the leading contenders for the 2026 prize.
Inter Miami finished the regular season second in the Eastern Conference and will face seventh-seeded Columbus Crew in a best-of-three first-round series in the MLS Cup playoffs.
2026 FIFPRO Men’s World XI
Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal, Spain)
Defenders: Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona, Spain), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England), Rodri (Manchester City/Barcelona, Spain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
2026 FIFPRO Women’s World XI
Goalkeeper: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea, England)
Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea, England), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City, England), Mapi León (Barcelona/London City Lionesses, Spain), Irene Paredes (Barcelona, Spain)
Midfielders: Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/London City Lionesses, Spain), Ella Toone (Manchester United, England)
Forwards: Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, Zambia), Claudia Pina (Barcelona, Spain), Alessia Russo (Arsenal, England)
Fermin Lopez scored twice as Barcelona came from behind to win 2-1 at Atletico Madrid Sunday, maintaining a three-point lead at the top of La Liga.
Barca’s win takes them clear of second-placed Real Madrid, who moved to 30 points with a 3-0 win at lowly Valencia Saturday and five ahead of Atletico in third after 12 games.
The hosts imposed a tempo that Barcelona struggled to counteract before the break. In the second half, the Catalans had a firm grip and the momentum, as coach Hansi Flick’s typically aggressive side showed they could exert control too.
Atletico began much stronger, though, piercing Barca’s high defensive line with ease. Both sides hit the bar in the opening eight minutes, but it was the home team who deservedly opened the scoring after 10 minutes.
Julian Alvarez had already passed up a golden opportunity, but provided the cross for Giuliano Simeone to bundle the ball into the net from close range.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone had every reason to be pleased with his side’s performance when he asked for calm in the 28th minute. The only disappointment was that their smart attacking play had not yielded another goal.
“Of course we wish Julian was as clinical as he normally is, but we’re going to wait for Julian (to get back to his best) because he’s a great player,” Simeone told reporters.
“In order to get where we want to go, we need a great Julian. And if not, we won’t get there.”
As the half went on, Barca gradually found ways to hurt Atletico, primarily through Lamine Yamal and Pedri.
The latter’s driving run led to Fermin sweeping a loose ball into the corner for the equalizer in the 45th minute.
Barcelona dominated proceedings after the break and Atletico’s forays into the opposition half became rare.
“We were too far from the opponent, so it was not easy to get pressure on the ball,” Flick said of Barcelona’s first-half display.
“This was what we did better in the second half. The first was not so perfect, but the second was good and I think we deserved the win.”
When Lamine finally conjured a clear chance with an incisive pass, Fermin provided a clinical finish in the 66th.
On the touchline, Simeone desperately pleaded with his side to mount a final onslaught with 10 minutes remaining, but Barca choked the life out of the game with slick possession.
Elsewhere, late goals from Real Betis’ Rodrigo Riquelme and Marc Bartra maintained their side’s grip on fourth spot following a 2-0 win at Elche, who go into the international break in the relegation zone as a result.
Real Sociedad lie four points behind Betis in fifth after Orri Oskarsson’s second-half goal gave his side a 1-0 home win over Rayo Vallecano.
Villarreal beat visitors Getafe 2-0 and Levante held out for a 0-0 draw at Celta Vigo.
Turkish Süper Lig action Sunday saw Fenerbahçe begin a new managerial era with a win, while Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor secured victories to remain near the top of the table heading into the international break.
The Yellow Canaries made a thunderous statement in Emre Belözoğlu’s first match as head coach, thrashing Çorum FK 5-0 on the road to snap a two-match domestic skid.
Building on midweek momentum from their UEFA Champions League victory over Liverpool, Fenerbahçe dominated from the opening whistle to climb into sixth place with 19 points from 11 matches.
Mason Greenwood sparked the rout in the 12th minute, racing onto a magnificent long pass launched from deep within his own half by Oğuz Aydın before hammering a tight-angle shot into the near corner.
Nine minutes later, İrfan Can Kahveci marked his 200th official appearance for Fenerbahçe with a moment of sheer magic.
After İsmail Yüksek pinched possession in Çorum’s half, Romelu Lukaku laid the ball off to Kahveci, who unleashed a majestic, 25-yard curling strike into the top corner.
Kahveci completed his brace in the 56th minute, feinting a left-footed shot on the edge of the area before curling a right-footed effort into the top corner off a feed from Matteo Guendouzi.
Greenwood added his second of the afternoon in the 63rd minute, turning home Levent Mercan’s low cross.
Substitute Kerem Aktürkoğlu then set up Oğuz Aydın for a close-range far-post finish in the closing stages following a clever link-up with Vedat Muriqi to round out the 5-0 thrashing. Çorum FK remain in ninth place with 16 points.
Vlahovic brace guides Beşiktaş
Beşiktaş, meanwhile, turned in a clinical performance to sweep past 10-man Gençlerbirliği 3-0, powered by a Dusan Vlahovic double and a hat trick of assists from Belgian international Leandro Trossard.
Vlahovic opened the scoring in the 20th minute, coolly latching onto Trossard’s threaded through-ball to slot home with his left foot.
Gençlerbirliği’s task grew exponentially harder just two minutes later when defender Metehan Baltacı picked up his second yellow card for a foul on Vlahovic, reducing the Ankara side to 10 men.
The Serbian forward doubled the Black Eagles’ lead on the stroke of halftime, tapping into an empty net after Trossard burst down the right flank and whipped a low cross across the face of goal.
Trossard capped a stellar display in the 85th minute, chipping goalkeeper İrfan Can Eğribayat before Ernest Poku applied the final touch on the goal line to complete the 3-0 victory.
The result lifts Beşiktaş into fourth place with 22 points from 11 matches, while Gençlerbirliği sit 14th with 11 points.
Trabzonspor keep on winning
Trabzonspor maintained their relentless domestic charge under manager Thomas Reis, earning a 2-0 away victory over Alanyaspor to extend their Süper Lig winning streak to six matches.
The Black Sea Storm bounced back from a midweek UEFA Conference League setback against Freiburg to move into second place with 25 points, three behind leaders Galatasaray.
Cape Verde international Wagner Pina broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, gathering a long pass from Chibuike Nwaiwu on the right wing before cutting into the box and finishing from a tight angle.
Egyptian star Mohamed Salah doubled the advantage in the 34th minute. After Paul Onuachu flicked Ernest Muçi’s entry pass forward, Salah sold defender Nuno Lima a subtle dummy before stroking a left-footed finish into the bottom corner.
Trabzonspor goalkeeper Andre Onana preserved the clean sheet late in the second half, denying Omar Ben Ali from close range as Reis’ side secured eight wins in nine matches across all competitions. Alanyaspor remain 13th with 12 points.
In Sunday’s other Süper Lig action, Rizespor earned a hard-fought 2-1 home victory over Erzurumspor FK.
Turkish star footballer Arda Güler drew widespread acclaim among football fans and across the Spanish media after scoring one goal and setting up another in Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory at Valencia Saturday.
Renowned publications, including Marca and El Mundo, all highlighted the Turkish international’s growing influence on Jose Mourinho’s attack.
The 21-year-old playmaker netted Madrid’s second goal in the 36th minute and supplied the defense-splitting pass for Kylian Mbappe’s 75th-minute strike at a hostile Mestalla.
Earlier, Federico Valverde had opened the scoring as Real Madrid extended their winning streak to eight matches across all competitions, moving level with Barcelona on 30 points at the top of La Liga ahead of the Catalans’ Sunday fixture against Atletico Madrid.
Conducting Symphony
The Spanish media reaction focused on Güler’s command of the pitch as much as his tangible contributions to the scoreboard.
Marca’s post-match analysis carried the headline “An Arda Güler never seen before,” crediting Mourinho with granting the midfielder a freer role to dictate attacks from various zones.
The report highlighted a player increasingly comfortable drifting inward from the right flank, receiving the ball between the lines, and linking up with Bernardo Silva to unlock stubborn low blocks.
Marca noted that Madrid’s tactical structure seamlessly absorbs Güler’s creative risks while praising his off-the-ball development, specifically his pressing triggers and positional discipline.
Other major outlets turned to musical metaphors to frame his display. Estadio Deportivo portrayed Güler as conducting a maestro’s orchestra at Mestalla, praising the license granted to him behind Mbappe.
El Confidencial echoed the sentiment, writing that Real Madrid “danced to Güler’s rhythm.”
The newspaper lauded his authority within a dynamic midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Bernardo Silva, describing the Turkish star as the decisive spark against Valencia’s low block.
The outlet highlighted his goal – a crisp, right-footed finish after Jude Bellingham’s industrious work down the left flank caused panic in the penalty area.
Numbers don’t lie
Güler’s standout performance brought his season tally to four goals and six assists in 14 appearances across all competitions, averaging a robust 0.71 goal contributions per match, according to AS.
His telepathic link with Mbappe proved particularly lethal. Estadio Deportivo singled out Güler’s sublime turn and quick-release pass that sent the French forward charging through to seal the victory.
On the night, Valencia had offered early resistance as Aaron Mayol forced Thibaut Courtois into a sharp save. However, Real Madrid broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when Valverde pounced after Mbappe’s free kick struck the wall.
Güler doubled the lead eight minutes later and nearly added another before the break with a stinging long-range effort that forced a save from Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, as Madrid dominated tempo and territory.
After Mbappe added the third goal off Güler’s dish, Valencia captain Jose Gaya saw red, compounding a miserable night for the hosts.
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