BURSA (AA) – İlhan Mansız, Rüştü Reçber and Ümit Davala, who were in the Turkey National Football Team squad in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, came together with sports fans at the “Crescent and Star Legends” meeting organized by Trendyol, the official sponsor of the Turkish National Teams, in Bursa. At the event held in a hotel in the city, Mansız, Reçber and Davala, players of the National Football Team of the period, who reached the semi-finals in the 2002 World Cup, shared with the participants the unforgettable moments they experienced in the tournament, the traces this experience left in their lives and their hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup journey.
Speaking at the event, Rüştü Reçber said that the 2002 national team squad competed as “warriors” physically and spiritually in the tournament. Stating that the current national team is in a good position in terms of the goalkeeper pool, Reçber said, “We have important names such as Uğurcan Çakır, Altay Bayındır, Mert Günok. However, the biggest task right now will be on Uğurcan. I see that Uğurcan is a very important name and goalkeeper with the performance he has shown in the last few years.
In order to crown his success, he must stand out in such a tournament. “The World Cup is an important tournament for his career.” he said. Reçber emphasized that it is very important for everyone in the team to trust each other and said: “If you have self-confidence and can convey it to your friends, that is the issue. It is very important to be able to create the thought ‘We will not concede a goal today, but we will score’.
We have very valuable players in our current squad in the defense, goalkeeper and forward line. In fact, the team gets to know each other over time, their trust increases and great things emerge. The children in the 2026 squad will add a lot to themselves as time progresses and get to know each other better. “They can go to success faster, but they need some time.” Stating that Trendyol has been providing great support to football for about 5 years, Reçber also thanked the Trendyol team for contributing to the development of the society in the cultural and sports fields.
İlhan Mansız also advised the players who had the chance to play for the national team to enjoy every moment of the tournament. Emphasizing that every success achieved with the national team jersey and brought to Turkey will be remembered for a lifetime, Mansız said, “I believe that not only talent but also unity, solidarity and teamwork will bring success in big tournaments. We took the field with this belief in 2002.” he said.
Ümit Davala also said that he was disappointed that he was not included in the first 11 of the team in the first match of the tournament in 2002, and that is why he had his legendary hairstyle done to attract the attention of the coach. Davala stated that he saw the desire and appetite in the players in the friendly match the national team played against North Macedonia and said, “As we get closer to the tournament, this will come to the fore.
Barış Alper Yılmaz has an incredible power. Even if 2-3 people are holding him back, he still continues his fight, he does not run away. He really took his place in the team as an example. The others are of course the same, everyone is a fighter, no one has the luxury of hiding there. I am sure everyone will do their best by trying their best.” he said. The event ended with a quiz contest in which participants answered questions about the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
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