“Turkish Football’s Golden Generation: Thriving Abroad While Domestic Talent Faces Challenges”

** in of ** Turkish football is currently experiencing a resurgence, highlighted by the emergence of promising young players on the international stage. One standout is , a teenager who recently donned the No. 10 jersey at Juventus and signed a contract extending to 2029. He made headlines by scoring two late goals in a thrilling 4-4 draw against Inter Milan in the Derby d’Italia. Meanwhile, , who missed that match, has made history by becoming the first Turkish player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or shortlist since 2003, finishing in 20th place, ahead of notable players like Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer. Additionally, Arda Güler of Real Madrid has emerged as a key figure for the nation, being recognized as the second-best young player in the world, just behind Lamine Yamal, in the awards. With these talents shining abroad, Turkey's national team appears stronger than it has in years. They narrowly missed out on victory against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. However, a closer look at the team reveals a concerning trend: of the 10 outfield players who started against the Dutch, only four were either born in Turkey or developed through local academies. This highlights the significant barriers that still exist for homegrown talent in Turkish football. While clubs like Galatasaray are beginning to shift away from relying on high-paid veterans, the overall pathway for domestic players remains fraught with challenges. The success of Turkish players abroad underscores the need for a more robust development system at home to nurture the next generation of talent.