For Juventus forward Kenan Yıldız, representing the Turkish Crescent-Stars on the grand stage of the FIFA World Cup is more than just an aspiration; it’s the “ultimate dream.”
The 19-year-old, widely regarded as one of Turkish football’s most promising talents, shared his ambitions and reflections with Anadolu Agency (AA) from the United States, where the national team is preparing for friendly matches against 2026 World Cup co-hosts, the U.S. and Mexico.
“We’ll give our best in both matches,” stated Kenan, emphasizing the significance of facing strong opponents gearing up for football’s biggest spectacle. “We aim to deliver a strong performance and win.”
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As the Turkish national team sets its sights on the challenging September European Championship qualifiers against Spain, Georgia, and Bulgaria, Yıldız underscored the importance of unwavering consistency and meticulous preparation.
“We’ll approach all three matches with the same mentality,” he affirmed. Acknowledging Spain as the reigning European champions, he added, “playing them will be tough. But in Konya, with our fans behind us, we want to show our strength. Georgia and Bulgaria won’t be easy either, but we’ll go out there to win.”
When probed about Türkiye’s chances of topping the qualifying group ahead of Spain, Yıldız’s response exuded quiet confidence. “We’re a team capable of beating anyone,” he declared. “I don’t want to predict wins or losses, but I deeply believe in hard work. With the right effort, we can take on any opponent.”
A Deep Connection to the Crescent-Stars
Yıldız made no secret of the profound pride he feels in his decision to represent Türkiye on the international stage. “Türkiye was always close to my heart,” he confessed. “Since childhood, they’ve supported me. My early coaches, like Soykan Başar, guided me, and that made the decision easy.”
His most emotionally charged moment with the national team came against his birth country. “Scoring against Germany was unforgettable,” Kenan recalled, describing it as a “turning point” in his career and one of the “most beautiful moments” of his life.
Reflecting on Türkiye’s impressive run to the quarterfinals in EURO 2024 in Germany, Kenan spoke of his immense effort. “I gave everything I had,” he said. “The peak moment for me was after the Austria match – those emotions, the connection with our fans. That night will always stay with me.” Despite their campaign ending just shy of the semifinals, Kenan believes the team possessed the potential to go further. “We all believed we could make it,” he lamented. “The match was in our hands, but things happened fast; we conceded two goals and were knocked out. We felt the fans’ pain – watching them cry after giving us so much support was heartbreaking. Still, that journey, those shared emotions, especially after the first win, were unforgettable.”
Under the tutelage of head coach Vincenzo Montella, Kenan sees a new dimension of growth in his game. “I can’t compare to past setups, but Montella is amazing – both as a person and a coach,” he praised. “He brings energy, belief, and he was one of the first to give me a real chance. Working with him is a joy.”
Juventus Dreams and Future Aspirations
At the club level, Kenan recently helped Juventus secure Champions League qualification on the final day of the Serie A season. “Playing in the Champions League has always been my dream,” he shared, describing the famous anthem and the stage as “magic.” “I played in it last year, and hearing that music again still gives me goosebumps.”
Now proudly wearing Juventus’s iconic No. 10 shirt, previously adorned by legends like Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio, and Alessandro Del Piero, Kenan feels both the weight and the immense honor. “It’s an incredible feeling,” he stated. “It’s a historic number, and I want to live up to it through hard work.”
As Juventus prepares for the FIFA Club World Cup, Kenan is determined to play a pivotal role. “We want to go as far as possible,” he affirmed. While he hasn’t publicly named a Ballon d’Or favorite, he openly acknowledges the motivation the award brings. “Every footballer dreams of that award,” he said, humorously confirming a teammate’s joke about his phone wallpaper: “Irfan Can joked about my phone wallpaper being the Ballon d’Or – it’s true. It’s a reminder to always push harder.”
On the prospect of facing Galatasaray in the Champions League, Kenan maintains a professional stance. “I’d like to play against all strong teams. The opponent doesn’t matter to me.” He also offered a glimpse into his empathy for fellow Turkish international Hakan Çalhanoğlu after PSG’s dominant 5-0 victory over Inter in the recent Champions League final. “After a loss like that, I know how it feels. I’d rather give space,” Kenan explained, while still acknowledging his teammate’s impressive achievement: “Still, reaching two finals in three years is a massive achievement.”
Though born in Germany, Kenan’s roots are deeply embedded in Türkiye. “My father is from Afyon,” he shared, noting he visited twice as a child. “My family lives in Denizli now, so I go there when I return to Türkiye.” He concluded the conversation with a heartfelt wish: “I wish everyone a happy holiday.”
