Juventus youngster Kenan Yildiz admits that wearing the ’10’ shirt for the Bianconeri is a ‘heavy’ burden. The 19-year-old Turkish talent spoke with La Gazzetta dello Sport about his role under new coach Thiago Motta, his rapid rise and his admiration for Juve legend Alessandro Del Piero.
“I’m happy,” he says. “I have confidence in myself and try to stay calm. That’s the only way I can grow, score, and provide assists for Juventus. Even Messi and Ronaldo have had periods when they weren’t at their best.”
Reflecting on his rapid rise, Yildiz shares, “Experiencing all these things in such a short time has been very exciting. I’ve worked hard since childhood, and when you see things working out, you feel satisfied. But I’ve only had 15 years of my career, and I hope to achieve many more milestones.”
Yildiz started playing football at three and a half years old and decided to become a professional at six. He describes himself as determined, centered, and balanced, though he admits to feeling uneasy when alone or unable to play football.
On his relationship with social media and reading, Yildiz says, “I use social media sparingly because I prefer to focus solely on football. I enjoy reading; right now, I have a book about the All Blacks on my nightstand.”
Yildiz speaks fondly of his connection with Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero: “For me, he has always been a legend. When I scored against Frosinone, I received his towel as a gift, and from there, a nice relationship developed. I’m happy to be able to talk with him; he gives me advice and helps me grow.”
Regarding the iconic number 10 jersey, Yildiz states, “My family and I were very happy to receive this shirt. For me, it’s an achievement, but I’m aware it’s a heavy number. I hope to live up to it and have fun.”
On his role in the team, Yildiz says, “In youth teams, I always played in midfield. At Juventus, they moved me to the wing. I play where I’m needed.”
Addressing the team’s recent performance dip, Yildiz remains positive: “These moments happen in football. We work hard to get out of this period, and I do my best to score and offer more to the team. We must be perseverant to return to good performances.”
Looking ahead to the match against Inter, Yildiz is confident: “Inter is a good team, and beating them would give us a lot of positive energy. We are Juventus, we are strong, and we go to San Siro to win. The championship is long; there are many games, and we must try to get as many points as possible, then we’ll see.”
On his aspirations, Yildiz concludes, “I hope to have a great career here, but the future is unpredictable. I’m aware of how much the club believes in me, and I appreciate it very much, which is why I try to give my all.”
