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Mehmet Topal

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Mehmet Topal
Topal with Turkey in 2016
Personal information
Full name Mehmet Topal
Date of birth (1986-03-03) 3 March 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth Malatya, Turkey
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Youth career
1999–2002 Malatyaspor
2002–2004 Dardanelspor
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2006 Dardanelspor 39 (4)
2006–2010 Galatasaray 82 (2)
2010–2012 Valencia 43 (1)
2012–2019 Fenerbahçe 206 (16)
2019–2021 İstanbul Başakşehir 50 (2)
2021–2022 Beşiktaş 7 (0)
Total 427 (25)
International career
2005 Turkey U19 1 (0)
2006 Turkey U20 1 (0)
2006–2007 Turkey U21 13 (1)
2008–2018 Turkey 81 (2)
Managerial career
2024 Petrolul Ploiești
Medal record
Representing  Turkey
Men's Football
UEFA European Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Austria-Switzerland
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mehmet Topal (born 3 March 1986) is a Turkish professional football manager and former player. A defensive midfielder, he was nicknamed Örümcek (Turkish: Spider) for his ability to use his long legs to win loose balls or cut passes.[1][2]

Topal started his senior career at Dardanelspor, and went on to represent Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, İstanbul Başakşehir, and Beşiktaş, respectively, totalling seven major trophies in his native country. He also had a two-year spell with Spanish team Valencia. An international for Turkey between 2008 and 2018, Topal amassed over 80 appearances and was selected for two European Championships.

As a manager, Topal debuted with a six-month stint at Romanian club Petrolul Ploiești in 2024.

Club career

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Early career

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Born in Malatya, Topal started his football career at local Malatya B.S. at the age of 13. He made his senior debut with lowly Dardanel Spor A.Ş. in the third division.

In September 2006, Topal joined Süper Lig powerhouse Galatasaray SK, moving to the club alongside Japanese Junichi Inamoto.

Galatasaray

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Topal appeared in only 11 games in his first season in Istanbul. However, due to an injury to Swedish international Tobias Linderoth, he was handed his chance in the starting XI, later commenting on his teammate: "He helped me a lot, told me about the areas I should improve and how to do so. Sadly, I got my chance through his injury but I want him to recover in the shortest time possible."[3]

In April 2008, Topal extended his contract with Gala for five years, having played 26 matches during the campaign to help the team win the national championship and also reaching the Turkey national team in that timeframe. In the 2008 summer transfer window, there were rumours surrounding a move to Everton in the Premier League, with David Moyes apparently keen to bring the player to Goodison Park.[4][5][6]

Topal eventually stayed put, appearing in an average of 22 games in the following seasons but also having to deal with injury early into 2009–10.

Valencia

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On 12 May 2010, Topal signed for Valencia CF for a fee believed to be in the region of €5.5 million.[7] On 14 September, he made he first UEFA Champions League appearance with his new club, playing the full 90 minutes against Turkish side Bursaspor in a 4–0 group stage win.[8]

Topal scored his first goal with the Che at Sporting de Gijón, on 25 September 2010 (2–0).[9] In the UEFA Europa League, he netted the game's only goal away against Stoke City on 17 February 2012 in the round of 32 to take his side through 2–0 on aggregate; the 30-yard strike was widely regarded as one of the best goals of that tournament.[10] He played six matches to help his team reach the semi-finals of the latter competition, but overall played second-fiddle to legendary David Albelda during his stint even though the former was ostracised by manager Unai Emery for a period of time.[11][12]

Fenerbahçe

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Topal with Fenerbahçe in 2016

Topal moved to Fenerbahçe SK on 1 July 2012, for a reported fee of €4.5 million. He signed a four-year contract with a €2 million annually salary, plus bonuses.[13][14][15] He contributed 27 appearances and three goals in his second season, as the club won the national championship after a three-year wait.

On 11 August 2015, whilst he drove home after training accompanied by youth player Uygar Mert, Topal's car was shot at by unknown men.[16][17] He appeared in 11 games in the Europa League round-of-16 run and, precisely at that stage, against S.C. Braga, scored the only goal in the first leg at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.[18] In the second match, he was sent off for two bookable offences – the second of which resulted in a penalty – as his team had a further two players ejected in an eventual 4–2 aggregate loss.[19]

On 26 June 2019, the 33-year-old Topal left by mutual consent.[20][21]

Istanbul Başakşehir

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On 26 August 2019, Topal joined İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. on a two-year deal, the latter one being optional.[22] After conquering the domestic league at the end of the campaign, he became the first footballer to achieve the feat with three teams.[23]

International career

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Topal earned his first cap for Turkey on 6 February 2008, coming on for Emre Belözoğlu in the 78th minute of a 0–0 friendly home draw with Sweden. Shortly after, he was selected by manager Fatih Terim for his UEFA Euro 2008 squad,[24] playing all the games in Austria and Switzerland but one for the eventual semi-finalists.

On 22 May 2016, Topal captained the nation for the first time, in their 1–2 friendly loss to England at the City of Manchester Stadium.[25] A week later, he scored his first international goal on his 58th cap, the only one of a last-minute victory over Montenegro in Antalya.[26] Picked for Euro 2016,[27] he started in all the matches, featuring as a central defender in a 0–3 group stage defeat against Spain.[28]

Managerial career

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Topal started his managerial career on 6 June 2024, joining Romanian club Petrolul Ploiești on a three-year deal.[29] He resigned on 22 December that year, leaving the team in sixth place in the Liga I after 21 fixtures—one of their best runs since their return to the top division in the 2022–23 campaign. Two days later, Petrolul Ploiești announced that his resignation had not yet been accepted and that the situation would be clarified soon. The club attributed his decision to personal reasons,[30] a claim Topal denied on his Instagram account.

Career statistics

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Club

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[31][32]

Club Season League National Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Dardanelspor 2004–05 Lig A 9 1 — — — 9 1
2005–06 30 3 1 0 — — 31 3
Total 39 4 1 0 — — 40 4
Galatasaray 2006–07 Süper Lig 11 0 2 0 4[a] 0 – 17 0
2007–08 26 1 8 1 5[b] 0 – 39 2
2008–09 21 1 5 0 6[c] 0 1[d] 0 33 1
2009–10 24 0 4 0 8[e] 1 – 36 1
Total 82 2 19 1 23 1 1 0 125 4
Valencia 2010–11 La Liga 23 1 1 0 5[a] 0 – 29 1
2011–12 20 0 1 0 9[f] 2 – 30 2
Total 43 1 2 0 14 2 – 59 3
Fenerbahçe 2012–13 Süper Lig 27 3 7 1 16 0 1[d] 0 51 4
2013–14 27 3 1 0 3[a] 0 1[d] 0 32 3
2014–15 33 2 7 2 — 1[d] 0 41 4
2015–16 33 1 7 0 13 2 – 53 3
2016–17 29 4 5 0 11 0 – 45 4
2017–18 29 2 8 1 4[e] 0 – 41 3
2018–19 28 1 2 1 6 1 – 36 3
Total 206 16 37 5 53 3 3 0 299 24
İstanbul Başakşehir 2019–20 Süper Lig 25 0 0 0 7[e] 0 – 32 0
2020–21 25 2 2 0 4[a] 1 1[d] 0 32 3
Total 50 2 2 0 11 1 1 0 64 3
Beşiktaş 2021–22 Süper Lig 7 0 0 0 3[a] 0 0[d] 0 10 0
Career total 427 25 61 6 104 7 5 0 597 38
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup
  3. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Cup
  4. ^ a b c d e f Appearance in Turkish Super Cup
  5. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ Three appearances in Champions League, six appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa League

International

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Topal (left) alongside Ahmet Yılmaz Çalık
Turkey[33]
Year Apps Goals
2008 11 0
2009 2 0
2010 3 0
2011 6 0
2012 10 0
2013 8 0
2014 6 0
2015 8 0
2016 13 1
2017 6 0
2018 8 1
Total 81 2
Turkey score listed first, score column indicates score after each Topal goal)[33]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 29 May 2016 Antalya Arena, Antalya, Turkey 58  Montenegro 1–0 1–0 Friendly
2 23 March 2018 74  Republic of Ireland 1–0 1–0

Managerial statistics

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As of 22 December 2024
Team From To Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Romania Petrolul Ploiești 6 June 2024 23 December 2024 25 8 12 5 27 24 +3 032.00
Total 25 8 12 5 27 24 +3 032.00

Honours

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Galatasaray

Fenerbahçe

İstanbul Başakşehir

Beşiktaş

  • Turkish Super Cup: 2021

Turkey

Individual

References

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  1. ^ Summerscales, Robert (20 April 2016). "Mehmet Topal to Tottenham on free transfer agreed in principle". Caught Offside. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  2. ^ Sarigul, Emre (7 June 2016). "Shot at twice and still thriving: Mehmet 'The Spider' Topal is Turkey's rock". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  3. ^ "Mehmet Topal GS TV'ye Konuştu" [Mehmet Topal GS TV chat] (in Turkish). Galatasaray SK. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  4. ^ Hunter, Andy (29 August 2008). "Everton line up Topal as fall-back if Sporting rebuff Moutinho bid". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  5. ^ "Everton may go for Turkey star Mehmet Topal". Liverpool Echo. 10 July 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  6. ^ "Everton FC are priced out of Mehmet Topal deal". Liverpool Daily Post. 17 July 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Topal se suma al Valencia de Champions" [Topal added to Champions' Valencia]. Las Provincias (in Spanish). 13 May 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  8. ^ Pardo Latre, Clara (14 September 2010). "El Valencia sale líder del infierno turco" [Valencia emerge leader from Turkish hell]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  9. ^ Malagón, Manuel (25 September 2010). "El Valencia se gusta" [Valencia enjoying themselves]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  10. ^ "Potters undone at home". ESPN Soccernet. 16 February 2012. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  11. ^ Calero, Toni (12 April 2012). "Topal: "Albelda es nuestro primer capitán, un jugador muy importante"" [Topal: "Albelda is our first captain, a very important player"]. Las Provincias (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  12. ^ Ros, Cayetano (20 April 2012). "Emery entona el adiós" [Emery rehearses goodbye]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  13. ^ "Topal signs four-year contract with Fenerbahçe". Hürriyet Daily News. 1 July 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  14. ^ "Mehmet Topal Fenerbahçe'de" [Mehmet Topal to Fenerbahçe] (in Turkish). Fenerbahçe SK. 1 July 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  15. ^ "Fenerbahce swoop for Valencia's Topal". ESPN Star Sports. 1 July 2012. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  16. ^ Sarigul, Emre (11 August 2015). "Fenerbahce confirm Mehmet Topal's car was shot at in attack after training". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  17. ^ "Fenerbahce midfielder Mehmet Topal's car shot at after training". ESPN FC. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  18. ^ "Mehmet Topal gives Fenerbahçe edge over Braga". UEFA. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  19. ^ "Braga put an end to Fenerbahçe hopes". UEFA. 17 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  20. ^ "Mehmet Topal'la yollar ayrıldı" [Mehmet Topal leaves organisation] (in Turkish). NTV Spor. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  21. ^ "Mehmet Topal'a Teşekkürlerimizle" [Thanks and all the best for Mehmet Topal] (in Turkish). Fenerbahçe S.K. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  22. ^ "Mehmet Topal, Medipol Başakşehir'de" [Mehmet Topal, to Medipol Başakşehir] (in Turkish). NTV Spor. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  23. ^ Enes Calli, Muhammed (20 July 2020). "Basaksehir become 6th club to lift Turkish league title". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  24. ^ "UEFA EURO 2008™ squad lists announced" (PDF). UEFA. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  25. ^ Taylor, Daniel (22 May 2016). "Jamie Vardy pounces to give England win against Turkey in friendly". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  26. ^ "International friendlies: Slovakia shock Germany, Spain stroll past Bosnia". Sport 360. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  27. ^ "Barcelona's Arda Turan leads Turkey Euro 2016 squad". ESPN FC. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  28. ^ "Spain cruise past Turkey to advance to knockout stage". ESPN FC. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  29. ^ "Bun venit, Mehmet Topal!" [Welcome, Mehmet Topal!] (in Romanian). FC Petrolul Ploiești. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Comunicat FC Petrolul Ploiești" [FC Petrolul Ploiești statement] (in Romanian). FC Petrolul Ploiești. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  31. ^ "Mehmet Topal" (in Turkish). Mackolik. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  32. ^ a b c d e f "M. Topal". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  33. ^ a b "Mehmet Topal". European Football. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  34. ^ "Başakşehir wins Süper Lig title for 1st time". Daily Sabah. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  35. ^ "Regulations of the UEFA European Football Championship" (PDF). UEFA. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  36. ^ "Germany 3–2 Turkey". UEFA. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  37. ^ "UEFA EURO 2008™ squad lists announced" (PDF). UEFA. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  38. ^ "Sezonun en iyileri belirlendi". Sporx (in Turkish). 12 August 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
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