Hakan Calhanoglu has provided reassuring news about his condition, expressing his desire to play in the upcoming match against Hellas Verona. The Inter midfielder, who captained Turkey in their recent Nations League match, had to be substituted at halftime due to a minor injury, specifically an issue with his groin. However, he insists that the injury is not serious.
“I want to be there in Verona,” Calhanoglu stated, showing his determination to return to action. Despite his limited contributions since joining the national team, where he has collected 4 points in two matches, he remains optimistic about his recovery. He will not participate in Turkey’s upcoming game against Montenegro but has chosen to stay with the national squad to support his teammates before returning to Milan for further examinations.
Turkey’s head coach Vincenzo Montella confirmed Calhanoglu’s absence for the Montenegro match, stating, “We have many absentees, and among them will be Hakan, who can shift the balance of any team in Europe as well as in our national team.”
Calhanoglu expressed gratitude towards Inter’s president Beppe Marotta for their understanding regarding his situation. “I thank President Marotta for his understanding. After the match, the Nerazzurri directors called me and our coach directly. I chose to stay here, but unfortunately, I won’t be able to take part in the game tomorrow.”
Reassuring fans about his physical condition, he added, “My old injury flared up again, but it’s not a serious situation and I’m not in any pain. I hope to be on the pitch with Inter for the game against Verona.”
Reflecting on Turkey’s last match against Wales, Calhanoglu noted, “We played well but couldn’t win. The most important thing was not to lose, and we didn’t lose. If all goes well, my friends will return tomorrow with a victory and I will come back to Milan happy.”
Calhanoglu also spoke highly of Dejan Savicevic, the former Milan player and current president of the Montenegrin Football Federation. “We met President Savicevic. He said very nice things about me, and I thank him for that. His compliments mean a lot because he recognizes the type of career I have had.”
Addressing rumors surrounding Vincenzo Montella’s future with Roma, Calhanoglu stated that they had expressed their desire for him to stay with the national team: “At one point there were rumors. We told him: ‘You will stay here.’ We wanted him to remain here, and he chose to stay.”
Finally, he reflected on criticism directed at him and his teammates: “I want to protect my young teammates; I don’t want them to experience what I have gone through. I’ve always been criticized on the national team but have never been devastated by it. I love my teammates; they are like brothers to me, and I will always do everything I can to protect them.”
