09.10.2026 14:02
Bodrumspor's 20-year-old volleyball player Meryem Cabbaroğlu attracted worldwide attention with the photo she shared before the Karşıyaka match, following Turkey. The young libero, who said she shared the photo while eating chicken pilaf with her friend, stated that she was surprised by the intense interest she received. Cabbaroğlu, whose mother is Russian and whose father is from Yozgat and who grew up in Ankara, explained that her biggest dream is to wear the A National Team jersey.
Meryem Cabbaroğlu, who went viral worldwide with a photo she shared before the match against Karşıyaka in the first week of the season at Bodrum Municipality Bodrumspor, one of the Women's Volleyball 1st League Group A teams, made special statements to Demirören News Agency.
Bodrum's 20-year-old libero Meryem shared a photo of herself in her team's jersey on her social media account before the October 3 match against Karşıyaka. The post Meryem Cabbaroğlu made from her social media account first went viral in Turkey and then worldwide. The young talent, whose photo was soon shared on many pages across Turkey and around the world, made special statements to DHA.
Expressing that she did not expect her post to make such an impact, the young libero stated that she works her hardest for the success of Bodrum's Pearls. Meryem, whose mother is Russian and whose father is from Yozgat, and who grew up in Ankara, stated that she did not expect such attention and said her goal is to play for the A National Team. Meryem Cabbaroğlu, who stated that she started her career in Ankara, said, “I wasn't expecting such a thing; I was surprised. Everything can spread on social media in an instant. Good and bad comments can come. So I tried not to read or look at them. There were those among my family and friends who posted it. I wasn't expecting this; I shared this photo while eating chicken pilaf with my friend. No one was expecting such a thing.”
HER MOTHER IS RUSSIAN, HER FATHER IS FROM YOZGAT, SHE HERSELF IS FROM ANKARA “When I say this, people are usually surprised: my mother is Russian, my father is from Yozgat. I was born and raised in Ankara,” said Meryem, “I can say I feel like I'm from Ankara. Rather than long-term plans, I prefer focusing on short-term plans. Here, first of all, I am thinking of having a good season with my teammates without injuries. Then I plan to continue step by step. All our players in the national team are examples. Because they represent Turkish women very beautifully worldwide. Every athlete's dream is to wear the national team jersey. Women who bring success to our country in volleyball, boxing, swimming, and archery are also very good examples for our young girls. They give the message that a limit is not something drawn for you, but something you can reach, and they become a legacy of courage. Our priority is also to be a good example for young girls and young people,” she said.
COACH KISTAK HAS FULL CONFIDENCE IN THE YOUNG PLAYERS Bodrum Municipality Bodrumspor Coach Adnan Kıstak, meanwhile, stated that they formed a squad made up of young players before the new season. Kıstak said, “This year we formed a young and dynamic squad; 10 new players joined us. The team's average age dropped to 21. It was a good investment for the coming years. They will gain good experience this year. New friends, new excitement. We lost our first match at home to Karşıyaka, but since it was the season's first match, I think the team will find itself in 2-3 weeks.”