Revealed: Arda Turan quits Turkish national team – Arsenal target growing increasingly unsettled
Arda Turan has quit the Turkish national team, retiring from international football aged 30-years-old.
Turan revealed his decision in a press conference held today in response to allegations that he verbally and physically assaulted a Turkish sports journalist on a plane carrying the Turkish national side from Skopje, Macedonia to Trieste, Italy on June 5.
See More: 3 reasons Barcelona star Arda Turan would be a success at Arsenal
“I am not here as the captain of the national team, I’m here as an ordinary citizen,” Turan was quoted as saying by Turkish-Football.
“I do not regret what happened, I feel as free as a bird.
“After speaking with the manager and head of the federation we decided I will not be featuring in the Kosovo game.
“I am causing the team harm and have decided to put an end to be international career.”
Turan and his teammates were preparing to board their flight following the goalless draw against Macedonia.
Before the plane took off, the Barcelona ace reportedly approached Bilal Meşe from the Milliyet newspaper and started hurling abuse at him.
“Tell me Bilal Meşe, were you there? Were you with us when you wrote about the bonuses issue? Who did I ask for money from? Who did ask I for bonuses from? Talk. Come on. Who made you write those reports?” Turan reportedly shouted at the Milliyet journalist.
Meşe wrote an article on Turan claiming Turkey’s poor performance at the European Championships last year was down to a dispute between the squad – lead by Turan – and the Turkish Football Federation over player bonuses.
“What kind of a country is this? They allow you onto this plane. F*** those who allowed you onto this plane,” Turan reportedly shouted at Meşe.
“You thought I was like the others. Who did I beg for money from? You son of a b****. I’d quit football before allowing anyone to say anything against my honor, my family.
“Your boss is [TFF President Yıldırım] Demirören. You are from the newspaper of the TFF president! Isn’t your boss the TFF president?” he added.
Turan then grabbed Meşe by the throat and was about to hit him when teammates Burak Yılmaz and Caner Erkin, intervened.
The attacking midfielder has grown increasingly unsettled over recent months for both club and country.
Turan was left on the bench for Barca’s last five games of the season including the Spanish Cup final despite being match fit.
The 30-year-old looks set to leave Barcelona over the summer according to Marca.
The La Liga giants reportedly want £19 million [€22 million].
AS report that Barcelona president Josef Maria Bartomeu has given the green light to sell the star midfielder.
Arsenal and Inter Milan have been closely linked with the attacking midfielder.
The fact that Turan will not play international football again will come as a blow to Turkey considering he is the most successful player in the current squad.
The news could however, be welcomed by clubs interested in Turan considering he will fully dedicate his time to the club.
There have been conflicting reports over how close Turan is to signing for Arsenal.
Spanish outlet El Desmarque report that he has has agreed to join Arsenal but the two clubs are still in talks over over a transfer fee.
There has been no confirmation from either club of official talks and his agent Ahmet Bulut has denied that a deal is in place with any club.
