Kenan Yildiz, one of Juventus’ brightest young talents, recently sat down with the press during the club’s tour in the United States. In an interview with Gazzetta, Yildiz spoke about his growth, ambitions, relationships within the club, and his dreams for the future.
Confidence and Growth
“Being seen as a symbol of Juventus gives me great confidence and belief in my abilities. I know what I have to do, and I work every day to help the team. Believing in yourself is important, it helps you face every challenge at your best,” Yildiz shared.
Reflecting on his development, he said, “I’ve changed a lot; I’m growing from a teenager into a man, little by little. I’m grateful for everything and hope to improve every day. I’ve probably grown most in my mentality. When you’re young and find yourself playing with older and more experienced teammates, you always have to raise your level. You need to be able to step into a new dimension quickly, improving in every aspect because football is made up of many factors. You have to try to change your attitude, grow physically, and take care of your body. There have been tough moments—football can’t always go smoothly. But overall, I’m happy with how the season went and how things are going in America.”
Inspiration and Comparisons
Yildiz prefers to focus on his own journey rather than comparisons: “I don’t like comparisons, I just want to keep giving my best in training and in matches, for myself and for the good of the team.”
On being likened to Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero, Yildiz said, “I don’t look at the numbers; I just want to create my own story. I’ve studied Del Piero a lot, I know what he did, but we’re two different people: everyone has their own path. We often keep in touch and sometimes meet up. After matches, he writes to me, pushing me to always do better. He tells me he’s happy for me and hopes I can continue like this. Ale is an incredible person.”
The Dream of Staying at Juventus
“Staying at Juventus for my whole life would be a dream, but in football, you never know what can happen. I prefer to enjoy the present without thinking too much about the future,” Yildiz admitted.
When asked about contract renewals and salary, he was clear: “Honestly, I’m not thinking about it right now. I’m happy with the situation and just want to work for the good of the team. I don’t talk about money, I want to give my best on the pitch.”
Relationships and Role Models
Yildiz spoke warmly about his relationship with Juventus owner John Elkann: “We’ve talked a bit, and I know he appreciates my style of play. He’s a wonderful person; he even sent me a beautiful message a few days ago, which was really nice.”
When it comes to players he admires, Yildiz said, “There are many, for example at Real Madrid. Arda Guler is very strong and will have a great future; it’s nice to be compared to them. But don’t ask me who I think is the best—I won’t say. As for defenders, there are many good ones, starting with those at Juve, but if I have to name one, it’s Van Dijk: he’s really strong.”
Language and Personality
” I understand everything in Italian, but to speak it well I have to concentrate too much, and it becomes stressful for me,” he admitted.
On his appearance, Yildiz joked, “Would I shave my head to win the World Cup? No, I wouldn’t do that. I’m very grateful to Allegri for what he did for me and also for making me cut my hair—I think I look better now. But shaving it all off? Sorry, no.”
Support and Team Spirit
Yildiz is grateful for the support of his teammates and coaches: “It’s fantastic, I can only thank my teammates and all the coaches I’ve had. I can’t believe Kolo Muani said such nice things about me—just two or three years ago, I was a kid and he was already Kolo Muani, now we train together every day. This pushes me to work even harder. If I’m here, I have to thank my father for taking me to the pitch every day. He was never a professional, just played for fun, but he passed on an infinite passion for this sport. He always told me to run, dribble, play, and enjoy myself. He’s very critical of me, and I’ve always listened to his advice.”
Modern Football and Fitness
“It’s true, we play a lot, but football is changing and becoming more modern. It’s tiring to have matches every two or three days, but I also see positive aspects—you have the opportunity for new challenges. Luckily, we have many professionals around us who help us manage recovery in the best way.”
On injuries, Yildiz said, “I’m young, and that helps. I try to take care of my body as best I can, following the advice I’m given, that’s all. I want to thank the Juventus staff who take care of me.”
Tudor’s Impact and the Challenge Ahead
Yildiz praised coach Igor Tudor: “When he arrived, he brought great energy and helped the whole team. For me, in particular, he told me to focus on what I have to do on the pitch and put everything else aside. I don’t like talking about the past, but it’s true that Tudor gives me a lot of freedom. Scoring more goals is great, but it’s not the only thing that matters. I always want to play well and get the best result.”
Looking ahead to the clash with Manchester City, Yildiz said, “It will be a beautiful challenge, but also a very difficult game: everyone knows City’s history. Of course, we want to win the group, but it doesn’t matter who we face next. I’d like to meet Huijsen again, but I’d only think about beating him. Real Madrid is perhaps the strongest team in the world, but for us, it doesn’t matter who the opponent is. Who will win the World Cup? I don’t know, but I can say one thing: we will do everything to be the ones lifting the trophy.”
