Turkish · Istanbul, Turkey · Born 7 September 1980Emre Belözoğlu is a Turkish football manager and former midfielder who helped Turkey to third place at the 2002 World Cup and played for Inter Milan and Newcastle United over a long career.
Emre Belözoğlu won the UEFA Cup with Galatasaray in 2000 at the age of 19, helped Turkey reach third place at the 2002 World Cup and the semi-finals of Euro 2008, and was one of only two Turkish players named to Pelé's FIFA 100 list of the greatest living footballers — a career of consistent excellence that spanned Serie A, the Premier League, La Liga, and four separate spells with Turkish clubs. He joined Galatasaray's youth academy and made his senior debut at just 16, going on to win the UEFA Cup in 2000 and multiple Süper Lig titles before his performances in Europe attracted the interest of Inter Milan. Emre moved to Inter Milan in 2001 for £5 million, spending four seasons in Serie A and the Champions League, before a move to Newcastle United in 2005. Injuries limited his impact in the Premier League, and he returned to Turkey in 2008 to join boyhood club Fenerbahçe, fulfilling a long-held ambition and becoming a key player and eventual captain, across three separate spells with the club that also included a stint at Atlético Madrid and İstanbul Başakşehir. Emre earned over 100 caps for Turkey across two decades, debuting in 2000 and helping the national team to third place at the 2002 World Cup and the semifinals of Euro 2008, despite injury cutting short his involvement in the latter tournament. He was named to Pelé's FIFA 100 list of the greatest living footballers. Emre retired in 2020 and moved into coaching, taking interim charge of Fenerbahçe before permanent managerial roles at İstanbul Başakşehir, Ankaragücü, Antalyaspor, and Kasımpaşa.
Helping Turkey to third place at the 2002 World Cup and playing for Inter Milan and Newcastle United
How They Played
Left-footed, tempo-setting central midfielder and advanced playmaker
Lasting Impact
One of the most technically gifted Turkish midfielders of his generation, later transitioning into a respected coaching career
Career Honours
- FIFA World Cup third place (2002)
- UEFA Euro 2008 semifinalist
- UEFA Cup winner (2000, Galatasaray)
- 4x Süper Lig champion
- FIFA 100 (Pelé's list of greatest living footballers)
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Galatasaray | 1996–2001 | — |
| Inter Milan | 2001–2005 | — |
| Newcastle United | 2005–2008 | — |
| Fenerbahçe | 2008–2012 | — |
| Atlético Madrid | 2012–2013 | — |
| Fenerbahçe | 2013–2015 | — |
| İstanbul Başakşehir | 2015–2019 | — |
| Fenerbahçe | 2019–2020 | — |
Turkish Athletes