16.05.2026 21:30
Tanju Çolak, one of the legendary strikers of Turkish football and Galatasaray, reacted to not being invited to the yellow-reds' championship celebrations. "Are we infidels!" said Tanju Çolak, expressing his disappointment to Dursun Özbek.
Tanju Çolak, one of the legendary goal scorers of Turkish football and Galatasaray, made harsh criticisms against the Galatasaray management. The legendary footballer came to the Nazilli district of Aydın as part of the signing day events for his book titled 'The Real King' and was met with intense interest from his fans, especially children. Çolak, who made statements during the signing day, expressed his resentment towards the management's attitude during the championship celebrations.
''ARE WE INFIDELS, BROTHER!''
Starting his remarks by celebrating Galatasaray's championship, Tanju Çolak reacted to not being invited to the celebrations. Claiming that the club management shows the same attention to foreign former footballers but neglects local names, Çolak said, 'There is only one Tanju Çolak for Turkish football and Galatasaray. The statistics agency in Switzerland showed me among the top 48 footballers in the world. I own the Bronze Shoe and the Silver Shoe. I also won the Golden Shoe at Galatasaray. Why, for what reason, do they not invite us? Go ahead and invite only foreign footballers. Give them VIP cars, hotels, caretakers. But what are we? Are we infidels, brother!''
''RESPECT THE EFFORTS OF TURKISH FOOTBALLERS''
The legendary striker claimed that many Turkish footballers who left a deep mark on Galatasaray's history are being distanced from the club and its events: 'You don't invite legendary figures like Bülent Korkmaz, Tugay Kerimoğlu, Hasan Şaş, Ergün Penbe, Ümit Davala, who have become icons for this team. It is these Turkish footballers who made Galatasaray what it is. You don't respect those efforts. Is it so hard to value legendary Turkish footballers? Are you that afraid of local players?''
''NO ONE CAN QUESTION MY GALATASARAY LOYALTY''
Emphasizing that his loyalty to the yellow-red club cannot be questioned, Tanju Çolak stated that this exclusionary attitude of the management is alienating legendary names from the club: 'No one can question my Galatasaray loyalty; they don't have the right. So far, I have visited 28 provinces. Everywhere I go, I say I am a Galatasaray supporter and I am proud of it. But by treating former players this way, you are pushing them away from the club. I am upset with Dursun Özbek.''