You started playing football in Germany. What was the impact of growing up in Germany at a young age on your football style and vision?
The work discipline and order I acquired in Germany still guide me today. These values have enabled me to make steady progress in my career. He added a lot to my football world. In this way, I learned to work systematically, be planned and never do half-work and applied it to my life.
You played for teams such as FTSV Lorbeer Rothenburgsort, ASV Bergedorf 85 and SV Henstedt-Ulzburg. What were the biggest differences between the experiences you gained while playing in Germany and when you moved to Turkey?
In Germany, the basis of football is, above all, discipline, planned work culture and a systematic approach. In Turkey, the passion and warmth of football come to the fore. Combining these two different cultures has been very valuable to me. My effort to reflect both the German discipline and the enthusiasm of Turkish football on the field gave me a great advantage.
You were transferred to Konak Belediyespor in 2018. How was your adaptation process to the Turkish league? What were the challenges and advantages?
First of all, I had a theoretical estimate of what awaited me. As someone who is open to innovations, my adaptation process was not very difficult as I already knew many of my teammates from the national team. This brought me great convenience. The only difficulty was being away from my family, but over time I got used to it. As an advantage, I knew that I would have the opportunity to get to know Turkish football more closely here. I turned this into an advantage and helped it contribute to my football career.
What did your move to Fenerbahçe mean to you in 2022? How have you experienced changes in terms of team environment, goals and expectations?
Playing in a deep-rooted and big club like Fenerbahçe was a very important step for me. The vision of the club, the value it places on women's football and the sense of responsibility made me much more motivated. My goal here is to win championships and go further with our team every year. It gives me great pride to be a part of this valuable journey.
As a midfielder, which aspects of the game do you find your strongest?
I have played many different positions in my career. I always try to give my best in whatever position my teacher needs me in. My strongest characteristic that defines me is my ambition, my versatility on the field and my ability to easily adapt to any game system tactically.
What does wearing the national team jersey mean to you?
It is a great pride for me to wear the national team jersey. I fight not only for myself on the field, but also for my country. Because I have the responsibility of representing millions of people behind me. This responsibility is not a burden to me, on the contrary, it gives me more strength. I try to do my best by turning pressure into motivation.
What was your most memorable match? Can you tell us about the match that impressed you the most, both at club and national team level?
Among my most memorable matches at club level are the matches in which we beat Beşiktaş 3-2 at home and Galatasaray 2-0. Also, it was very special for me to score a goal and an assist in the 2-0 away match against Beşiktaş.
I will never forget the goal I scored in the national team match against Hungary, which we won 4-1. The match we played against Germany in Bursa was also special for me because my grandmother watched my match from the stands for the first time. It was also a special pride to wear the jersey against the country of my birth.
What are your goals for the future? What successes do you aim to achieve both at club level and with the national team?
First of all, my biggest goal is to win championships with Fenerbahçe. As for the national team, I am working hard to take part in the European and World Cups. Working to reach these levels is my biggest motivation.
What are your interests outside of football? What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love swimming, and kickboxing is also a sport that interests me. Due to the intense match tempo, we do not have much free time, but when we do, we usually spend time with my friends and do different activities.
Being born in Germany and being successful as a football player in Turkey – you have two cultures. How did these two cultures influence you and what did they add to your character?
Germany gave me the habit of discipline, working in a planned manner and never leaving things unfinished. Türkiye, on the other hand, taught me to stay strong, not to give up no matter what the circumstances, and to look more professionally. The combination of these two cultures has contributed a lot to me both on the field and in my life.
What motivates you during difficult times? How do you maintain morale during times of injury or decline in form?
At such times, I think about why I play football and the effort I have made so far. I have been in football for 23 years and thinking about what I have done on this journey always motivates me again.
What should be done to further develop women's football in Turkey and the world? What do you see from your own experience?
I believe that more attention should be paid to infrastructure. I think that when young players are given more opportunities, women's football will develop further both in Turkey and in the world. A strong infrastructure forms the basis of the future.
What advice would you give to young football players? What were the most important turning points in your journey?
My biggest advice to young players is to work hard, be patient and never give up. Stability and discipline are everything in football. In addition, education is also very important. I completed my high school education in Germany and I always believed that I should have a diploma with me. This gives me the opportunity to start university education at any time within the German education system. Because even if a football career lasts a long time, it may end one day, but the education we receive and our character always stay with us throughout our lives. Doing their best both on the field and in school allows young people to be better in the future. Because playing football is a matter of intelligence. That's why Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's words "I like athletes who are smart, agile and moral" are very meaningful.
