20.08.2026 10:50
The tension between Fenerbahçe's head coach İsmail Kartal and star player Marco Asensio has reignited with the Lyon match. President Aziz Yıldırım has decided to step in to prevent the incidents from harming the team. It was stated that Yıldırım will meet with Kartal and Asensio in the coming days to try to find a middle ground.
The tension between Spanish star Marco Asensio and head coach Ismail Kartal at Fenerbahce has come back to the agenda with the Lyon match. At the start of the season, after Kartal's comments that Asensio was "not yet physically ready," the Spanish footballer shared "I am ready for tomorrow." Claims of tension between the two resurfaced after Asensio started the critical Lyon match on the bench.
STARTED THE LYON MATCH ON THE BENCH
Marco Asensio was not preferred in the starting eleven by Ismail Kartal for the Lyon match. The Spanish footballer, one of the favorites among the yellow-navy fans, was brought into the game following reactions from the stands.
AZIZ YILDIRIM STEPS IN
According to the news from Takvim, Fenerbahce President Aziz Yildirim stepped in, thinking the tension between Ismail Kartal and Marco Asensio could harm the team. It was claimed that Yildirim, who had been following the developments between Kartal and Asensio from a distance without intervening, has now taken charge of the situation after the latest developments.
WILL HOLD A MEETING WITH ISMAIL KARTAL AND ASENSIO
Aziz Yildirim is expected to meet with head coach Ismail Kartal and Marco Asensio in the coming days. It was stated that President Yildirim will try to end the tension between the two names and find common ground during the upcoming meeting.
"LET US BE UNITED AGAINST THE OUTSIDE"
According to the report, Aziz Yildirim is expected to give the following message to Ismail Kartal and Marco Asensio at the meeting:
"I do not want Fenerbahce to be harmed. Ismail Kartal is the head coach of this team. Asensio is also one of its most important players. Let us be united against the outside and put an end to the rumors."
JOINED FENERBAHCE IN 2025
30-year-old Marco Asensio transferred to Fenerbahce from Paris Saint-Germain in 2025 for a transfer fee of 7.5 million euros. Last season, the Spanish footballer played a total of 38 matches in all competitions wearing the yellow-navy jersey.
PERFORMANCE WITH 13 GOALS, 14 ASSISTS
Asensio spent 2,746 minutes on the field for Fenerbahce last season. The Spanish star scored 13 goals and provided 14 assists in the matches he played. Asensio's current contract with Fenerbahce runs until June 30, 2028. According to Transfermarkt data, the experienced footballer's current market value is shown as 15 million euros.