Turkish international Hakan Calhanoglu controversially moved from one Milan club to another in 2021, inevitably getting the “traitor” label. But when the dust settled, he turned out to be a class act on the pitch – even if he lacked humility.Ask about any player to compile a list of the top five footballers in their position, and they probably won’t include themselves in the rankings – even if their quality means they belong there. Common courtesy works that way. But Inter midfielder Calhanoglu is different. DAZN reporters asked him who the best midfielders are. You guess his reply.”Fifth Enzo Fernandez, fourth Joshua Kimmich, third Toni Kroos, second Rodri, first me. Why am I the best? Because of the goals and what I do, others don’t. If you look at the statistics, I never score from close range, but from 25-30 meters or from free kicks. These are difficult things. Then, everyone is good at handling, but making passes within five meters is not my style. I always look for the final pass to increase the chance of scoring or making a long pass. Passing sideways does not interest me.”🚨🚨🎙️| Hakan Calhanoglu: “I’m the best playmaker right now. After me Rodri, then Toni Kroos, Kimmich and Enzo Fernández.” [@DAZN_IT] pic.twitter.com/0pmiyoGJBl— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) February 22, 2024 So, does the best midfielder have any weaknesses? Thankfully, Calhanoglu wasn’t quite so arrogant when asked that question.”It doesn’t mean that I don’t have to improve because now opponents will try to mark me man-to-man, as in the first half in Rome, when I struggled. I need to create more space and be smarter in these situations, but I will do better with Barella and Mkhitaryan helping me. Defensively, I have improved, but I still need to progress: analyzing videos with Inzaghi’s staff, I notice that I still make mistakes. At Milan, when they asked me to play as a midfielder, I wasn’t ready, but when it happened here, I was: I immediately said yes because I wanted to challenge myself. When you’re the right age, changing positions weighs less on you.”Being one of the best in the world means you must have had fine role models – and Hakan is one of the greatest.”Andrea Pirlo has always been my idol. I know him well. I liked the way he played, his calm attitude on the field. He didn’t feel the stress. I remember the chip against Hart in Euro 2012. He’s my idol, the number one.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7892319##Inter are marching towards 20th Serie A title, which would mean adding another little star above the club’s logo on black-and-blue shirts.”Winning the second star to surpass Milan? I don’t focus on this detail. Everyone minds their own business, and we do too. Then we’ll see what happens. The Champions League? We fight for everything. Inter always has one goal: to do well in all competitions, and we’re here for it.” Coach Simone Inzaghi has established himself as one of Europe’s finest coaches. He helped improve Calhanoglu even more after crossing the city divide.”He called me to come here after the European Championship, and I thank him. Then, he placed me in that role. He’s a person who doesn’t talk much but has a warm heart with the players and deserves a lot. He knows how to approach. If we look at our journey from the first year, we’ve had great growth together. We, the players, know that too.”🇹🇷📊 Hakan Çalhanoğlu putting himself 1st! 🔝 (@DAZN_IT) pic.twitter.com/wdm8tqfXZD— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) February 22, 2024 Calhanoglu endeared himself to Nerazzurri fans by rejecting the move to Saudi Arabia.”Yes, I had an offer, but I love Inter. When I arrived here, Piero (Ausilio, Editor), the coach, and the teammates greatly helped me. This is a huge family. Then I arrived for free, in the end, it’s always the club’s decision. I have already said the decision is theirs, but I want to stay here. At Inter, I feel reborn. I had a difficult period, but they lifted me here, and I matured. I’m an emotional person. I was going through a tough situation, but everyone here helped me. Then, the song that the fans dedicated to me gave me even more energy. That’s why I say that Inter is different for me. It can’t be explained…”
