30 Facts About Arda Turan

1. Arda Turan was ranked eighth in a selection of the 100 Best Young Football Players in the World piece published by Spanish magazine Don Balon in July 2008.

2. Arda Turan made his debut for Barca on January 6, 2016 in a Copa del Rey encounter at Camp Nou against Espanyol.

3. Arda Turan once opened his house in Madrid to people across the city's political spectrum.

4. Arda Turan is still a Barcelona player and is only playing for Istanbul Basaksehir on loan.

5. Arda Turan was featured on the cover of the video game FIFA 15 in Turkey.

6. Arda Turan states that while he enjoys being compared Lionel Messi, he thinks that Messi is the "greatest player in the world".

7. Arda Turan successfully converted a spot-kick in the penalty shootout against Croatia in the quarter-finals, taking Turkey to the semi-finals, where they were eventually knocked out by losing finalists Germany.

8. Arda Turan scored his first international goal on 25 May 2008 in a friendly against Uruguay.

9. Arda Turan received a 16-match ban from the Turkish Federation's disciplinary board, the longest punishment ever issued to a player in the country.

10. Arda Turan placed a shot in the second half that was saved by Espanyol goalkeeper Pau.

11. Arda Turan is known for his long-standing support of President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

12. On 11 May 2014, Arda Turan was announced as a goodwill ambassador for the Khojaly massacre.

13. Arda Turan is known for his humanitarian work, especially in the helping of sick children.

14. Arda Turan had been dating Turkish actress Sinem Kobal since August 2009.

15. Arda Turan suffered no serious injuries and continued training with only cuts and bruises.

16. Arda Turan has a passion for cars and currently drives a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta and an Audi RS6.

17. On 16 November 2008, Arda Turan collapsed during a match against Istanbul BB.

18. Arda Turan states that while he enjoys being compared to current Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi, he thinks that Messi is the "greatest player in the world".

19. In June 2017, Arda Turan attacked verbally and tried to strangulate journalist Bilal Mese in a plane trip back from a game against Macedonia.

20. Arda Turan scored the Turkish national team's 600th international goal in a 2010 World Cup qualification game, against Estonia on 5 September 2009.

21. Arda Turan featured in nine of Turkey's 12 qualification matches for Euro 2008, and starred in the finals of the tournament itself.

22. Arda Turan was a Turkish international regular, having made over 90 appearances for Turkey at senior level.

23. On 4 May 2018, Arda Turan was sent off in a league match against Sivasspor for pushing an assistant referee after disagreeing with a ruling.

24. On 7 December 2016, Arda Turan scored his first hat-trick for Barcelona during a Champions League group stage match against Borussia Monchengladbach.

25. Arda Turan played his first Liga match with Barcelona on 9 January 2016, the 17th matchday of the season, at home against Granada.

26. On 29 December 2015, Arda Turan picked number 7 for his shirt.

27. On 25 November 2014, Arda Turan was nominated for the UEFA Team of the Year for 2014, among 40 other players.

28. Arda Turan was ranked 38th in "The 100 Best Footballers in the World" by The Guardian in 2014, the only player on the list to be born in Turkey.

29. Arda Turan is mostly known for his ball control, dribbling skills and vision.

30. Arda Turan is a Turkish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir, on loan from Barcelona, and the Turkey national team.