Emre Belözoğlu

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Emre Belozoglu
Emre in national team (11.08.2010).JPG
Personal information
Full name Emre Belozoglu
Date of birth 7 September 1980 (1980-09-07) (age 31)
Place of birth İstanbul, Turkey
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Fenerbahçe
Number 5
Youth career
1990–1992 Zeytinburnuspor
1992–1996 Galatasaray
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1996–2001 Galatasaray 149 (19)
2001–2005 Internazionale 79 (3)
2005–2008 Newcastle United 69 (5)
2008– Fenerbahçe 105 (12)
Total 386 (33)
National team‡
1994–1995 Turkey U-15 11 (7)
1995–1997 Turkey U-16 35 (20)
1996–1997 Turkey U-17 7 (2)
1997 Turkey U-18 6 (0)
1998–1999 Turkey U-21 12 (4)
2000–2011 Turkey 80 (8)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:19, 11 August 2011 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 07 December 2011

Emre Belözoğlu (Turkish pronunciation: [ˈemre ˈbeløzːɫu]; born 7 September 1980 in Istanbul) is a Turkish football midfielder who plays for Fenerbahçe.

Having also played for clubs Galatasaray, Internazionale, and Newcastle United, Emre has been a part of the Turkey national team at the 2002 World Cup and at Euro 2008 among other tournaments. Pelé named Emre in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations.[1]

Contents

[edit] Club career

[edit] Early career

Emre's inspiration came from his father, who introduced him to football at the Zeytinburnuspor training ground. Emre's mother had seen the problems that her husband had faced through his football career, and thus did not want his son to become a professional football player. His father, however, urged and inspired Emre to embark on a career.

The fans of Zeytinburnuspor quickly took an interest in Emre, stating his wonderful control with his left foot. Trainer Salih Bulgurlu noticed his talent and started giving him special training. Salih looked after Emre for four years, teaching him all the basic techniques, improving and harnessing his fitness and stamina dramatically. Emre was quickly discovered by former Galatasaray legend Bülent Ünder, a close friend of legendary Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim. Bülent Ünder pleaded to Salih Bulgurlu that Emre join Galatasaray:

“ Wait and see. In two years, this teenager will be playing proudly within the battlegrounds of Europe.[2] ”


[edit] Galatasaray

Emre officially became a Galatasaray player. Forever the centre of attention while rising through the Galatasaray youth ranks, his left foot and creativity brought him his first appearance for the club's senior squad as a sixteen-year-old in the 1996–97 season.[3]

The following year, he became a regular in the squad. Once the understudy to Romanian legend Gheorghe Hagi, it seemed that the sky was the limit for Emre as he won 4 Süper Lig titles, 2 Turkish Cups, 1 UEFA Cup, and 1 UEFA Super Cup all by the age of 21. Emre also played in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Emre gained much popularity and fame at Galatasaray, earning legendary status and a reputation in Europe.

[edit] Internazionale

Emre began to catch the eyes of major European football clubs. Italian leading sports paper Tuttosport described Galatasaray's little midfield maestro as the most sought-after player in Europe, with Emre attracting the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Milan, and Internazionale.[4]

In 2001, he moved to Internazionale on a free transfer. It was during his time at Inter where he picked up the nickname "Maradona of the Bosphorus", after comparisons of playing style to the Argentine legend. In the 2002–03 season, Emre became the 17th winner of the Pirata d'Oro (Golden Pirate), an annual award given for the Inter player of the year. Inter made it through to the semi-finals of the Champions League that year, and that was as far as Emre would reach with the club.

Emre 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.

[edit] Newcastle United

In July 2005, Emre moved to Newcastle United for a £3.8 million transfer fee.[5] He proved to be a popular player amongst the Newcastle fans, as well as showing his ability to win matches not only from his goals, but also from his assists.

However, three injury-hampered seasons at St James' Park never allowed the Newcastle fans to see the full influence of his outstanding abilities. Nonetheless, he will be remembered by many Newcastle fans for his match-winning free-kick against Tyne-Wear rivals Sunderland.

[edit] Fenerbahçe

In July 2008, Emre was unveiled at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in a signing ceremony. Fanatical Galatasaray supporters started many "anti-Emre" campaigns for transferring to their rivals. However, Emre 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[6] and Hasan Şaş.[7]

After a disappointing first season, consistent performances in the next saw Emre rewarded with the Süper Lig player of the year in season 2009–10. Emre 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, Emre declared that he hung posters of Fenerbahçe legends Aykut Kocaman, Rıdvan Dilmen and Džoni Novak on his walls at home.[8]

[edit] International career

Since making his international debut against Norway in 2000, Emre has been a regular in the Turkish setup. Injury forced him out of the Euro 2000 but he was part of the Turkish squad that finished in third place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Emre played the opening match of UEFA Euro 2008, but an injury sidelined him for the rest of the tournament as Turkey progressed to the semi-finals.[9]

[edit] International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 2 September 2000 Istanbul, Turkey  Moldova 2–0 Win 2002 FIFA World Cup Qualification
2. 9 June 2002 Incheon, South Korea  Costa Rica 1–1 Draw 2002 FIFA World Cup
3. 20 November 2002 Pescara, Italy  Italy 1–1 Draw Friendly
4. 17 November 2007 Oslo, Norway  Norway 1–2 Win UEFA Euro 2008 Qualification
5. 10 September 2008 Istanbul, Turkey  Belgium 1–1 Draw 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification
6. 9 September 2009 Zenica, Bosnia Herzegovina  Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–1 Draw 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification
7. 11 August 2010 İstanbul, Turkey  Romania 2–0 Win Friendly
8. 10 August 2011 İstanbul, Turkey  Estonia 1–0 Win Friendly
Correct as of 10 August 2011

[edit] Honours

[edit] Player

Individual

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] Club

[11]

Club Season League Cup [12] [13] [14] Europe Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Galatasaray 1996–97 1 0 - - - - 1 0
1997–98 24 2 8 0 2 0 35 2
1998–99 27 2 6 2 2 0 35 2
1999–00 24 5 4 0 13 1 41 6
2000-01 27 4 3 4 10 0 40 8
Total 103 12 21 6 27 1 151 18
Internazionale
2001–02 13 0 - - 6 0 19 0
2002–03 25 3 - - 12 1 37 4
2003–04 21 0 - - 6 0 27 0
2004–05 19 0 - - 6 0 25 0
Total 78 3 - - 30 1 108 4
Newcastle United
2005–06 20 2 4 0 1 0 25 2
2006–07 24 2 2 0 12 1 38 3
2007-08 14 1 5 0 - - 19 1
Total 58 5 8 0 23 1 82 6
Fenerbahçe
2008–09 25 1 6 0 9 1 40 2
2009–10 25 1 5 0 8 1 38 2
2010–11 27 4 1 0 4 2 32 5
2011–12 12 1 1 0 - - 3 0
Total 89 6 12 0 21 4 112 9
Career total 200 26 41 6 90 7 442 39

[edit] International

[15][16]

Turkey national team
Year Apps Goals
2000 4 1
2001 4 0
2002 13 2
2003 7 0
2004 7 0
2005 7 0
2006 1 0
2007 8 1
2008 7 1
2009 6 1
2010 9 1
2011 5 1
Total 79 6

[edit] Playing style

Emre loves to have the ball at his feet.[17] He has technique, speed, agility and elegance, which makes him a good dribbler.[18] One of Emre's trademark moves is the inside hook, a trick to work space and increase options.[19]

[edit] Personal life

Belözoğlu and his long-time fiancé Tuğba Gürevin were married on 2 January 2009. The couple have a son, Ömer Akif, born in the morning of Tuesday 22 March 2011, at the American Hospital. The baby weighed 3.55 kg and was 50 cm tall at birth.

[edit] Controversy

After a post-match brawl in a 2006 World Cup qualification playoff match with Switzerland, Emre was banned for Turkey's next six matches and fined CHF 15,000 (£6,622) plus costs of CHF 1,000 (£440) for his alleged part in the brawl. The FIFA Appeal Committee later reduced the ban to four matches.[20]

On 12 January 2007, Emre was charged by The Football Association with using racially-aggravated abusive and/or insulting words[21] in an incident during a 3–0 loss to Everton on 30 December. Newcastle United were unable to comment until Emre himself replied to the charge.[22] He later stated he was angered by claims that he was racist, citing his friendship with roommate Obafemi Martins as evidence he was not.[23]

On 16 February 2007, the FA announced another investigation into alleged racist remarks from Emre, this time aimed against Bolton Wanderers striker El Hadji Diouf. The incident allegedly took place during Bolton's 2–1 win at St James' Park on 15 October 2006. Emre's agent denied the accusation.[24] Diouf subsequently decided not to press charges. However, on 1 March 2007, Emre faced a third racism allegation, when Watford defender Alhassan Bangura claimed he was subject of racist abuse from Emre.[25]

On 19 March 2007, the allegations of Emre using racially-aggravated abusive and/or insulting words during the Everton match were found not proven by the FA.[26]

His transfer from Inter Milan to Newcastle United in July 2005 is one of those about which the Stevens inquiry report in June 2007 expressed concerns.[27]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Emre Belözoglu Profile". ESPN Soccernet.com. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/international?id=33312&league=uefa.euro&cc=3436. 
  2. ^ "Emre Biography". 123football. http://www.123football.com/players/b/emre-belozoglu/index.htm. 
  3. ^ "Emre Belozoglu Player Profile". World Soccer Magazine. http://www.worldsoccer.com/news/emre_belozoglu_news_55702.html. 
  4. ^ "World Soccer Emre Profile". World Soccer. 2 September 2003. http://www.worldsoccer.com/news/emre_belozoglu_news_55702.html. 
  5. ^ "Newcastle finalise Emre transfer". BBC Sport (London: bbc.co.uk). 2005-07-19. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/4651545.stm. Retrieved 2007-02-16. 
  6. ^ "H.Şükür: Emre'nin Fenerbahçe'li olduğunu biliyordum!". Forum TR. http://www.frmtr.com/fenerbahce/2307197-h-sukur-emrenin-fenerbahceli-oldugunu-biliyordum.html. 
  7. ^ "Hasan Şaş:Emre Fenerbahçe'liydi". Kanaltürk. http://www.zekirdek.com/forum/236952-hasan-sas-emre-fenerbahceliydi.html. 
  8. ^ Emre has A.Kocaman's posters hang on his walls
  9. ^ "Emre Belözoglu Profile". Sky Sports. http://www.skysports.com/football/euro2008/player-profiles/0,23132,13959_97160,00.html. 
  10. ^ "Inter Team Of The Decade 2000–2010". Goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en/news/2517/goalcom-teams-of-the-decade/2009/07/15/1374063/inter-team-of-the-decade-2000-2010. 
  11. ^ http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=6994
  12. ^ Includes the Süper Kupa
  13. ^ Includes the Supercoppa Italiana
  14. ^ Includes the Football League Cup
  15. ^ [1]
  16. ^ http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/belozoglu-intl.html
  17. ^ "Emre Belozoglu Player Profile". Sporting Life. http://www.sportinglife.com/football/worldcupfinals2002/team_sections/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=ladbrokes/02/04/01/manual_215536.html&TEAMHD=turkey. 
  18. ^ Erdem, Suna (31 March 2003). "Emre Belozoglu in a confident mood for his England task". London: The Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1125263.ece. 
  19. ^ "UEFA Training Ground". UEFA.com. http://www.uefa.com/trainingground/training/video/index,page=4.htmx. 
  20. ^ "Sanctions for incidents during Turkey v. Switzerland pronounced final – reduced penalties for Turkish football association, Huggel and Emre". FIFA. 2006-06-24. Archived from the original on 2006-09-06. http://web.archive.org/web/20060906043205/http://fifa.com/en/media/index/0,1369,118129,00.html. Retrieved 2007-02-16. 
  21. ^ "Emre charged". evertonfc.com. http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/emre-charged.html. Retrieved 2007-02-16. 
  22. ^ "FA Emre Charge – Newcastle Statement". nufc.co.uk. http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~964354,00.html. Retrieved 2007-02-16. 
  23. ^ "Emre: I may quit over racism charge". talkofthetyne.com. 2007-02-05. http://rivals.net/default.asp?sid=893&p=2&stid=8437677. Retrieved 2007-02-16. [dead link]
  24. ^ "FA to probe new Emre race claims". BBC Sport (London: bbc.co.uk). 2007-02-16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6368207.stm. Retrieved 2007-02-16. 
  25. ^ "Emre faces new racism allegation". BBC Sport (London: bbc.co.uk). 2007-03-01. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6407915.stm. Retrieved 2007-04-14. 
  26. ^ "Emre racism allegations 'not proven' – FA". ESPNsoccernet. 2007-03-19. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=415660. Retrieved 2007-04-14. 
  27. ^ "Reaction to Lord Stevens' key findings". Times Online (London: News International). 2007-06-15. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1939499.ece. Retrieved 2008-06-21. "In relation to Emre's move from Inter Milan, the inquiry was not prepared to clear the transfer as it was unable to obtain the co-operation of the lead agent, Ahmet Bulut." 

[edit] External links

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