Tanju Çolak criticizes Galatasaray management: Are we infidels, brother!

Legendary Turkish football striker Tanju Çolak visited the Nazilli district of Aydın for a book signing event for his book titled "The Real King." Met with intense interest, especially from children, Çolak criticized the Galatasaray management during his speech at the signing event. While celebrating Galatasaray's championship, Çolak reacted to not being invited to the championship celebrations.

Stating that the management invites foreign players while forgetting Turkish players, Çolak said, "There is only one Tanju Çolak for Turkish football and Galatasaray. The statistics institute in Switzerland ranked me among the 48 best football players in the world.

I am a recipient of the Bronze Shoe and the Silver Shoe. I also won the Golden Shoe while at Galatasaray. Why, for what reason, are they not inviting us? You go ahead and only invite foreign players. Give them VIP vehicles, hotels, and caretakers. Well, what are we? Are we infidels, brother?" he said.

"Respect the efforts of Turkish players"

Claiming that former Turkish players are being distanced from the club, Çolak said, "You are not inviting names who have become legends for this team, such as Bülent Korkmaz, Tugay Kerimoğlu, Hasan Şaş, Ergün Penbe, and Ümit Davala. These are the Turkish players who made Galatasaray what it is. You do not respect those efforts. Is it that hard to value legendary Turkish players? Are you that afraid of domestic players?" he stated.

"No one can question my Galatasaray identity"

Stating that his identity as a Galatasaray supporter cannot be debated, Çolak said, "No one can question my Galatasaray identity; it is not their place. I have traveled to 28 provinces to date.

I say that I am a Galatasaray supporter everywhere I go, and I am proud of it. But by acting this way, you are distancing former players from the club," he said, expressing his grievance to the club management.

On the other hand, in recent months, Hasan Şaş, one of Galatasaray's legendary names, also used similar expressions on a program where he works as a commentator, complaining about the lack of loyalty shown to former players.