Emre Belozoglu

Emre Belözoğlu is a Turkish footballer of Fenerbahce and the national team of Turkey.

Emre was born on September 7, 1980 in Istanbul. Starting from the age of 12 the young footballer received his football education at Zeytinburnuspor. Emre started to play for the youth team of Galatasaray when 14. At that time the manager of the squad was Fatih Terim who did a lot for the progress of the teenager. Terim gave a chance to the youngster in a game against Beşiktaş when the score was equal 2-2. Emre went to the field and scored a fantastic winner bringing a victory to Galatasaray both in the match and in the championship. During a 5-year run with the club Emre won 4 championships and 3 Turkish Cups and also the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.

His success was noticed by Inter Milan and some other famous European clubs but Inter was the one to get the player. Emre started his first Italian season in 2001 where he got a nickname ‘Maradona of the Bosphorus’ and in the next season he was recognized as the best Inter’s player.

In 2005 Emre Belözoğlu signed for Newcastle United. He won popularity among the fans almost at once, however, the English stage of his career wasn’t very successful. Emre suffered from numerous injuries but was still loved by every fan for the free kick against Sunderland.

In 2008 Emre signed for Fenerbahçe. That transfer was a scandal as he was joining the side of the rivals of his former club. There were many anti-Emre campaigns but the player confessed to have had supported Fenerbahçe since childhood. The first seasons in the new club weren’t very successful but little by little he was finding his best condition. As a result he became the player of the season in 2009.

Emre moved to Atlético Madrid on May 29, 2012 penning a contract according to the terms of which the player would earn €2.7 million per year. Nevertheless, he left the club in 2013 and moved back to Turkey joining Fenerbahce.

Emre has a reputation of an impulsive and emotional man that resulted in a fight and further disqualification of the Turk in the World Cup of 2006.

As for his international career Emre went through all the national youth teams reaching success and being a firm starter everywhere. He has also spent respectful 84 games with 8 goals for the senior internationals.