Hakan Calhanoglu Turkish and German footballer Date of Birth: 08.02.0194 Country: Turkey

1. Early Life and Youth Career
2. Professional Football Career
3. AC Milan and Inter Milan
4. Personal Life
5. Political Views
6. Current Status

Early Life and Youth Career

Hakan Çalhanoğlu, a Turkish and German footballer, was born in Mannheim, Germany on February 8, 1994. His Turkish father, an avid Galatasaray fan, instilled a love for football in his children. Hakan's younger brother, Muhammed, played for the German club Karlsruher SC.

Growing up, Çalhanoğlu played for Waldhof Mannheim, where his cousin Kerem also played. He showcased exceptional passing and dribbling skills as a midfielder and had an impressive shot, becoming the designated set-piece taker. His playing style drew comparisons to Mesut Özil, who was then dazzling for Werder Bremen and Real Madrid.

Due to his Turkish heritage, Çalhanoğlu declined to play for Germany's youth teams. Instead, he regularly featured for Turkey's youth teams, with pundits labeling him a future star. In 2012, he made his senior debut for Karlsruher SC.

Professional Football Career

Early in his career, Çalhanoğlu was deployed in various positions: as an attacking midfielder for Karlsruher SC, a holding midfielder for Hamburger SV, and on the right wing for the Turkish national team. Gradually, he found his niche as a deep-lying playmaker, despite not possessing exceptional height or speed, but rather relying on his intelligent distribution and ability to control the tempo of the game.

In 2014, Çalhanoğlu surprised many by signing with Bayer Leverkusen, despite interest from clubs in Italy, Spain, and England. With Leverkusen, he impressed with his playmaking abilities and scored crucial goals in European competitions. He continued to be a regular for the Turkish national side.

AC Milan and Inter Milan

In 2017, Çalhanoğlu joined the Italian giants Milan, where he quickly established himself as a key player. In an early interview with the club, he expressed his childhood dream of playing for Milan and professed his love for the Rossoneri. However, his move to Inter Milan in 2021 was seen as a betrayal by Milan fans.

Çalhanoğlu's transfer was highly controversial, and he fueled the fire with a controversial interview where he stated his desire to win the Serie A title with his new club. Ironically, Milan went on to win the Scudetto that season, and their fans celebrated the victory with chants and banners mocking their former player. Milan fans revelled in every injury suffered by Çalhanoğlu and often targeted him on social media.

Currently, Çalhanoğlu remains with Inter Milan, under contract until June 2027. Under coach Simone Inzaghi, he plays as a playmaker, helping the team win the Serie A title and reach the Champions League final against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. He continues to clash with Milan fans, celebrating goals against his former club in provocative ways.

Personal Life

Çalhanoğlu met his future wife, Sinem Gündoğdu, during their childhood days. They married in Mannheim in 2017. However, their marriage hit a rocky patch in 2018 when Çalhanoğlu announced an impending divorce on Instagram. Rumours circulated that he caught his wife in an affair, although he allegedly was not faithful either.

After their separation, Çalhanoğlu was seen in the company of unmarried women and was reportedly dating an Italian model. Adding fuel to the fire, Sinem posted on social media, claiming her loyalty and revealing that she was six months pregnant, which she suggested was a factor in their split.

Despite their public drama, the couple reconciled. In March 2019, Çalhanoğlu became a father when his daughter Leyla was born. Since then, the couple has welcomed sons Ayaz and Asil. Çalhanoğlu frequently shares photos of his children on social media.

Milan fans have been eager to follow the news of Çalhanoğlu's personal life since his move to Inter Milan. During derbies, they have taunted the midfielder about the infidelity that plagued his marriage, bringing insulting banners into the stadium. In November 2021, the following message appeared near Çalhanoğlu's home: "Being brave is living with a wife who cuckolds you, not taking a penalty against your ex team in 10th minute of the game. piece of sht."

Çalhanoğlu is known for his family values and makes a point of calling his mother after matches. An avid video game enthusiast, he prefers to spend his vacations away from tourist hotspots, visiting his parents' hometown in Bayburt, Turkey. He has spoken about his love for walking in the mountains and seeking the shade of centuries-old trees.

Political Views

In Turkey, footballers have significant influence in society, and their social media posts reach millions of people. Çalhanoğlu has been vocal in his support for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In 2019, his goal celebration against Albania, which involved a military salute, triggered backlash online.

Current Status

In 2024, Çalhanoğlu added the Serie A title to his trophy haul. The Mannheim-born player has pledged his loyalty to Inter Milan, rejecting an offer from Saudi Arabia. He has scored 13 goals in the league, coming close to breaking Lothar Matthäus' record as Inter's highest-scoring midfielder in a single season.

Moreover, Çalhanoğlu has become the highest-scoring Turkish-passport holder in the Italian top flight, surpassing a record that stood for 70 years. He has been included in the league's Team of the Season and was recognized as the Best Midfielder in Serie A. Under his new contract, he is the highest-paid player at Inter Milan, earning €12 million per year before taxes.

Çalhanoğlu played a significant role in Turkey's qualification for the European Championship. He was named in the squad for Euro 2024, with the team's head coach, Vincenzo Montella, acknowledging his talent. Montella had previously worked with the midfielder at AC Milan.