Emre Belözoğlu

Emre Belözoğlu (, born 7 September 1980) is a Turkish professional football manager and former player who is currently serving as the manager of Ankaragücü.

During his playing career, he played as a midfielder, usually in a playmaker role.

He came through the youth ranks at Galatasaray before making his senior debut at the age of 16 in 1996.

After five years, four Süper Lig titles, one UEFA Cup title, and more than 100 appearances for Galatasaray, he moved to Inter Milan for £5 million.

He would subsequently play for Newcastle United, Fenerbahçe (where he won two Süper Lig titles), Atlético Madrid and İstanbul Başakşehir.

His first appearance for the club's senior squad was as a sixteen-year-old in the 1996–97 season.

The following year, he became a regular in the squad.

Once he became a regular he won four Süper Lig titles, two Turkish Cups, one UEFA Cup, and one UEFA Super Cup all by the age of 21.

Belözoğlu was a part of the Turkey national team from 2000 to 2019, earning over 100 caps and helping the team to the semi-finals at the 2002 World Cup and at Euro 2008.

He was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations announced by Pelé.

Belözoğlu's inspiration came from his father, Mehmet, who introduced him to football at the Zeytinburnuspor training ground.

Belözoğlu's mother, Fatma, had seen the problems that her husband had faced through his football career, and thus did not want their son to become a professional football player.

His father, however, urged and inspired Belözoğlu to embark on a career.

The fans of Zeytinburnuspor quickly took an interest in him, stating his wonderful control of a left foot.

Coach Salih Bulgurlu noticed his talent and started giving him special training.

Bulgurlu looked after Belözoğlu for four years, teaching him all the basic techniques, improving and harnessing his fitness and stamina dramatically.

Belözoğlu was quickly discovered by former Galatasaray legend Bülent Ünder, a close friend of Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim.

Bülent Ünder pleaded to Bulgurlu that Emre join Galatasaray: "Wait and see. In two years, this teenager will be playing proudly within the battlegrounds of Europe."

Belözoğlu officially became a Galatasaray player.

Belözoğlu also played in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid in April 2001.

In 2001, he moved to Inter Milan for £5 million.

In the 2002–03 season, Belözoğlu became the 17th winner of the Pirata d'Oro (Golden Pirate), an annual award given for the Inter Milan best player of the year.

Inter made it through to the semi-finals of the Champions League that year, and that was as far as Belözoğlu would reach with the club.

He gradually became out of favour at Inter due to persistent injuries, and after making just nineteen appearances during the 2004–05 season, he became available for transfer.

On 19 July 2005, Belözoğlu moved to Newcastle United on a five-year deal for a £3.8 million transfer fee.

He made his debut on 3 August in a 2–1 home defeat to Deportivo La Coruña in the UEFA Intertoto Cup, and 11 days later started in Newcastle's first game of the Premier League season, a defeat to Arsenal.

In his fourth game on 23 October, he set up the opening goal with a corner to Shola Ameobi, and later scored the winner with a free kick, in a 3–2 victory over Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby.

Of 25 games in all competitions in his first season, 20 in the league, he scored just one more goal: a long range shot on 5 November to defeat Birmingham City 1–0.

Injuries limited Belözoğlu to only 35 Premier League appearances in his subsequent two seasons at Newcastle, in which he scored three goals.

On 17 January 2008, in an FA Cup replay against Stoke City, he was sent off after 29 minutes for retaliating after being fouled by John Eustace.

In July 2008, Belözoğlu, was unveiled at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, the traditional homeground of Fenerbahçe, in a signing ceremony.

Fanatical Galatasaray supporters were enraged and started many "anti-Belözoğlu" campaigns for transferring to their rival.

However, Belözoğlu stated that he had always been a Fenerbahçe fan, which has been confirmed by some of his past team-mates, including Galatasaray legends Hakan Şükür and Hasan Şaş.

After a disappointing first season, consistent performances in the next saw Emre rewarded with the Süper Lig player of the year for the 2009–10 season.

He was effective at both ends of the pitch, his experience and combative style proving a valuable asset in taking his team so close in both league and cup.

On 3 November 2010, Belözoğlu declared that he hung posters of former Fenerbahçe players Aykut Kocaman, Rıdvan Dilmen and Džoni Novak on his walls at home.

Belözoğlu moved to Atlético Madrid, the reigning champions of the Europa League on 29 May 2012.

He signed a two-year contract and was warmly received by compatriot and midfield partner Arda Turan.

On 7 July Belözoğlu trained with his new teammates before being unveiled by Atlético in a signing ceremony held in the Vicente Calderon stadium.

He made his Atlético debut on 1 September 2012 in the UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea, coming on for the last three minutes in place of Radamel Falcao whose hat-trick contributed to Atletico's 4–1 victory.