Vincenzo Montella Predicts Kenan Yildiz Will Become a Global Football Star Amid Injury Setback

Vincenzo Montella, the head coach of Turkey, spoke about the tough situation his team faces without key players Hakan Calhanoglu and Kenan Yildiz ahead of their upcoming UEFA Nations League games. Both Calhanoglu and Yildiz are sidelined due to injury, along with defender Mert Muldur, creating a significant challenge for the squad.

Montella admitted that missing these influential players means he must rely on younger members of the team to step up quickly in high-pressure matches. "Without Calhanoglu and Yildiz, it's not the same Turkey," he said. "Muldur will also be absent initially. It will be a test for the new players, especially as we have four matches coming up that make things even tougher."

Montella Praises Yildiz’s Talent and Potential

Despite Yildiz’s current injury, Montella expressed strong confidence in the 21-year-old Juventus forward’s future. The coach compared Yildiz's style to Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero, highlighting his rare technical skill and versatility on the field.

"Kenan Yildiz will become one of the world’s top players," Montella declared. "Even when Ale started, people compared him to Baggio. Kenan has the talent and potential of a great player. He might not be a classic number 10 today, but at his age, players evolve. He can play as a number 10 even if he starts wide and cuts inside."

Emotional Clash Against Italy and Mancini

Looking ahead to Turkey’s two matches against Italy, Montella shared his mixed feelings about facing his homeland. These fixtures will pit him against his former Sampdoria teammate Roberto Mancini, whom Montella regards highly.

"I would have preferred to face any other teams, but not Italy twice in a few days. It will be emotional," Montella said. "I played with Mancini at Sampdoria. There's respect, affection, and esteem between us. I believe in him. He has the experience and knowledge to restore Italy to the top. He's the right person for that job."

Turkey’s Ambitions in the Nations League

Turkey is set to start their Nations League Group A1 campaign against France, followed by the back-to-back games versus Italy. Montella insisted that despite missing important players, his squad must stay tactically disciplined to compete with Europe's strongest sides.

Regarding France, Montella praised their quality and depth of players, noting the fresh energy brought by Zidane. "France has unmatched quality and player options," he said. "They have renewed enthusiasm under Zidane, but it won’t be easy for them either. I expect the matches against Italy to be very balanced."

• UEFA Nations League A – Turkey Schedule:
• Date: 25 Sept 2026 | Opponent: France | Kickoff: 21:45
• Date: 28 Sept 2026 | Opponent: Italy | Kickoff: 21:45