04.06.2025 16:11
Abdülkerim Bardakcı, who is one of the key figures in Galatasaray's championship, made statements regarding the season. The national player also commented on the tension between him and the fans of his former team, Konyaspor, saying, "I have a grievance."
After transferring to Galatasaray in 2022, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, who is one of the most important parts of the championship won three seasons in a row, made statements to AA reporter regarding his performances in the Trendyol Super League, his thoughts about his teammates, and his future goals.
'A CELEBRATION WE WILL NEVER FORGET'
Abdülkerim, who stated that they wore the 5th star by winning the 25th championship in total, said, "It was a very important year for us. Because we were going to wear the fifth star. Thank God we worked hard and reached the championship, and we wore the 5th star. We celebrated the championship in Yenikapı. I think it was a very beautiful celebration. It rained a lot, and there was incredible interest. It was a wonderful atmosphere. We had a celebration that we will never forget." he said.
'WE WANT TO BREAK THE RECORD BY BECOMING CHAMPIONS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE YEARS'
The yellow-red football player expressed that they want to surpass the record of 4 consecutive championships held by Galatasaray between 1996-2000.
The 30-year-old stopper stated that the consecutive championships did not create a sense of saturation in the team, saying, "We will chase the 4th championship in a row for the upcoming season. There will be a hunger for it within us. There is never satisfaction for us. We want both success in Europe and to become champions in the league for four consecutive years again." he stated.
Emphasizing that they broke many records in the last three seasons, Abdülkerim said, "We broke many records in these three seasons. Our new target is to break a record. We want to become champions for five consecutive years and set a new record." he said.
The experienced football player expressed his views on the UEFA Champions League, which they will directly compete in next season, saying, "It was important for us to participate in the Champions League. Because our place is in the Champions League. Hopefully, we will achieve success next year and make our fans proud." he stated.
'I'M GLAD I CAME TO GALATASARAY'
Abdülkerim Bardakcı said that he made the right decision for his career by transferring to Galatasaray.
The national football player, who was wanted by the three major clubs of Istanbul while playing for Konyaspor, stated that he made the right decision by transferring to Galatasaray, saying, "Everywhere I go, I say, 'I'm glad I became a part of Galatasaray, I'm glad I came to Galatasaray.' These three seasons have passed very quickly for me. We have been champions for three years and we are successful. I enjoy it a lot. These are very beautiful years for me. When I came, Galatasaray finished the season in 13th place. However, this is the biggest club in Turkey. Sometimes there can be such bad seasons. We immediately got back up and became champions for three consecutive years, and hopefully, the continuation will come." he stated.
Recalling that he joined the yellow-red team at the age of 28, Abdülkerim Bardakcı said, "Sometimes I think I came late, and I constantly talk about this with my close circle. If I had come here at the age of 22-23, everything could have been very different. However, you cannot go against destiny. It seems I was meant to come here at this age, I was meant to experience these things, and I am experiencing them. I am enjoying it now." he evaluated.
'I HOPE TO PLAY HERE UNTIL THE END OF MY CAREER'
Abdülkerim stated that he wants to captain Galatasaray until the end of his football career. He mentioned that being a captain in the yellow-red team is a different feeling, saying, "When I first stepped into our stadium, I thought, 'I hope one day I get the chance to captain this great community.' Thank God it happened, and I will continue to do it with dignity." he said.
When asked about his career goals, the national football player replied, "When I first came here, my goal was to be a captain. My current goal is to play here until the end of my football career and to be able to captain." he answered.
'WE HAVE A PERFECT FAMILY ENVIRONMENT'
The Galatasaray football player attributed the team's success to the family environment within the team.
Stating that they spend time together as a family outside of football, Abdülkerim said, "Our friendship within the team is perfect. We constantly spend time together outside. We have a perfect family environment. When this happens, success comes naturally. I don't know of any bad character among us. Everyone has a pure heart. Everyone wants the best for each other. When this is the case, success comes." he stated.
Stating that his children are growing up with Galatasaray, the yellow-red stopper said, "There is already a wonderful family environment here. I am a person who values family a lot. I always try to spend time with my children. These are beautiful times that need to be appreciated." he stated.
'MY PREFERENCE IS A FOUR-DEFENDER SYSTEM'
Abdülkerim Bardakcı said that he believes a four-defender system is better.
In response to the reminder that they have been competing with both three and four-defender formations this season, Abdülkerim said, "There is not much difference between the two formations in my opinion. I am a stopper who constantly plays with the ball and always goes on the attack. For me, the position does not matter. I enjoy both systems, but I think the four-defender system is better." he said.
'PLAYING WITH MUSLERA IS A DIFFERENT FEELING'
The yellow-red football player also answered questions about his teammates.
Expressing their sadness over the departure of Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who ended his 14-season career at Galatasaray, Abdülkerim said, "Playing with Muslera is a completely different feeling. Having him play behind us is incredible. He is a true captain, a true leader who constantly motivates, covers mistakes, and speaks positively. We are very sad about his departure." he stated.
Regarding his defensive partner Davinson Sanchez, Abdülkerim said, "I think we are a good duo. We cover each other's deficiencies very well. I cover his deficiencies, and he covers mine. When we both have deficiencies, Muslera covers them. Also, we are both goal-scoring stoppers. There is competition between us in this regard." he stated.
Praising the performance of Eren Elmalı, who joined during the mid-season transfer and made a significant contribution to the championship, Abdülkerim said, "Before Eren transferred, we had played together in the national team as well. Eren is a very good left-back. He is exactly the type of full-back I want to play with."
“We understand each other very well outside as well. He is a very nice character. We perform well because we understand each other well on the field,” he stated.
Emphasizing that Mario Lemina, who joined the team during the mid-season transfer like Eren, has made a significant contribution, the experienced footballer said, “Lemina is an amazing character, an amazing footballer. I really love him. After he came, we felt a lot of relief. Because the duo of Torreira and Lemina collects all the loose balls. They really ease our game.”
Abdülkerim Bardakcı commented on Nigerian star Victor Osimhen, saying, “He is one of the best forwards in the world. A very good striker. It was a chance for us that he played for Galatasaray.”
'A VERY GOOD COACH'
Abdülkerim used flattering expressions about head coach Okan Buruk.
The national player, regarding the experienced coach with whom they have reached the championship in the Super League for three seasons, said, “Okan is a very good person, a very good coach. He understands the psychology of the players very well because he has played at a high level. He knows when to ease off and when to tighten up. This reflects positively on us.”
'ONE OF MY DREAMS IS TO PLAY IN THE WORLD CUP'
The national stopper of the yellow-red team stated that one of his dreams is to play in the FIFA World Cup wearing the crescent-star jersey.
Expressing that he was not invited to the A National Team's camp in the USA due to his injury, Abdülkerim continued his words as follows:
“We talked with coach Montella as well. I had a problem with my lower leg during the championship match we played with Kayserispor. A tear occurred. We informed the coach about this. He called me and said, ‘Last season the European Championship was played. You were very tired. You are already injured. That’s why I won’t call you, rest.’ I hope to rest. We will be ready like a bomb for the camp in September next year.”
Reminding that they will compete against Spain, Georgia, and Bulgaria in the World Cup Qualifiers, Abdülkerim said, “Playing in the World Cup is one of my dreams. I hope we achieve our goal. We start in September. I hope we qualify for the World Cup by finishing the group as leaders. Because we are a very quality team. There are very talented players among us. I believe we will qualify and achieve successful results.”
Explaining that he discussed the competition in the national team with his teammate Alvaro Morata, who wears the Spain jersey, Abdülkerim said, “We talk with Morata. I told him, ‘We will meet in September. We will see each other there.’ Spain is a very good team. However, we also have a very good squad. We will play the first match in Konya. That’s very good for the national team. I think good things will happen in Konya.”
'I HAVE A GRIEVANCE WITH KONYA'
Abdülkerim Bardakcı expressed that he was hurt by the reactions of the fans of his former team Konyaspor towards him.
Recalling that he received backlash during the match against his former team Konyaspor while wearing the Galatasaray jersey, Abdülkerim noted that the A National Team will play its first match in the World Cup Qualifiers in Konya.
Emphasizing that he was hurt by the reactions in Konya, Abdülkerim said, “I don’t think I deserved this. It was not nice for my family to be insulted because I celebrated a goal. What a few people started, others joined in. I love Konya. In fact, I am thinking of living there after football. I have a grievance. I hope our match with the national team goes well.”