TURKISH LEGEND JOINS GOLDEN GOAL
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Legendary Mehmet Topal has joined our family
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15/09/2023
One of the most respected names in Turkish football, name which has marked last 15 years of this beautiful game in Turkey, has joined our company.
Mehmet Topal, former national "A" team member and squad captain, has signed representation contract with "Golden Goal Sports Management".
Year ago he has retired from active football players career, gained UEFA "A" coaching license, and now as coach will continue with successes on football pitch.
Born 37 years ago in Malatya, Eastern Turkey, nicknamed "The Spider" (due to his ability to use his long legs to win loose balls or cut passes), mostly play on defensive midfielder position.
Product of Yeni Malatyaspor and Dardanelspor youth academies, debuted in senior football in 2005-06 in Dardanelspor shirt (1.Lig) with following stats: 16 games, 01 goal, 01 assist and 1,425 minutes spent on pitch.
Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray SK did not miss huge talent and potential of young Mehmet Topal, so on summer 2016 he has moved to Istanbul.
Following four seasons he has spent in Galata, won two national trophies "Super Lig" (2007-08) and "Super Cup" (2008-09), played in UEFA club competitions and qualification stage games ("Champions League", "UEFA Cup", "Europa League"), achieved 126 caps (total), 03 assists and 04 goals scored.
On summer 2010, as then one of biggest outgoing "Super Lig" transfers, joined Spanish Valencia CF where he has spent seasons 2010-11 and 2011-12 (59 caps, 02 assists, 03 goals).
July 2012, decided to return back to Turkey, to Istanbul, but this time to the Asian part of the city, signed with Fenerbahce SK and with this transfer again has stirred football fans public.
Seven years he has played for Fener, seven years in which he has become indispensable member of first 11 line-up, team captain and club living legend.
Won with them three trophies, national cup (season 2012-13), champions title (2013-14) and "Super Cup" (2014-15).
In total, he has made there 298 caps, 24 assist and 25 goals scored. From which in UEFA competitions he has played 53 matches, with 02 assists and 03 goals.
Biggest success in European cups as Fenerbahce member he has achieved in "Europa League", season 2012-13, reached semi-final where they have lost from Portuguese giant Benfica (1:0 home victory and 1:3 away defeat). Due to yellow card suspension he did not played in revanche match in Lisbon.
Summer 2019 and new chapter in Mehmet Topal career, he has joined Istanbul Basaksehir FK in their hopes that finally they will win state champions title. And this time they have make it, season 2019-20 Basaksehir has become "Super Lig" winner. This was their first and only league title, and only trophy in club history.
In two seasons in Basaksehir he has 64 caps with 03 assists and 03 goals scored.
2021-22 was Mehmet last career season, in which he has played for third Istanbul giant Besiktas JK. Won with them in national cup competition, with total 10 games played (03 in "UEFA Champions League").
For Turkey youth teams U19, U20 and U21 he has 15 caps and 03 goals scored.
With achieved 81 cap (02 goals), Mehmet is one of players with most appearances in history of Turkey "A" squad.
Debuted for Turkey on 06 February 2008 (friendly game vs Sweden 0:0). He was a member (04 caps) of squad which has reached semi-final of "UEFA EURO 2008" tournament (played 90 minutes in their semi-final defeat from Germany 3:2).
Also for "A" team he has played on "UEFA EURO 2016", in first 11 line-up on all three games (270 minutes) in their group "D" stage games (vs Croatia 0:1, vs Spain 0:3, vs Czech Republic 2:0 victory).
Performed 11 times as national team captain, first time he has wore captain armband on friendly game played against England (22 May 2016, 2:1 defeat).
Last game for Turkey Mehmet has played on 20 November 2018 vs Ukraine (0:0).
We are honored to have football greatness as Mehmet Topal is as member of our family, and we hope that with joint efforts we will make his coaching career brilliant as his playing was.
Golden Goal Sports Management | one dream, one goal
