by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, June 19 (Xinhua) -- An enthusiastic crowd in the Dortmund Arena undoubtedly played a significant role when Turkey turned their UEFA Euro 2024 group encounter against Georgia into an atmospheric game on "home soil".
An estimated 50,000 Turkish supporters were among the crowd of 62,000, tirelessly pushing the team, called "Bizim Cocuklar" - our children - of coach Vincenzo Montella to an impressive 3-1 victory.
While Turkey harvested their first win in a major tournament curtain-raiser, a 19-year-old catapulted himself to new heights.
The talk is of a youngster called the "Turkish Messi", playing in the shirt of Real Madrid and having grabbed the title of youngest scorer at a Euro tournament from no less than Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese superstar was 19 years and 128 days old when he scored at Euro 2004. Guler, scoring Turkey's second against Georgia, beat Ronaldo's record by 14 days.
With over three million Turkish-rooted people living in Germany, many being the second and third generation of immigrant workers, enthusiastic chants filled the Dortmund Arena.
Guler triggered a wave of euphoria in the stadium and back home in Turkey. "He not only is the player of the match, but he will be the dominating figure of Euro 2024," said local network TRT.
The Guardian newspaper headlined: "Arda Guler brings the thunder as Turkey survive storm to beat Georgia", while the BBC said: "Guler beats Ronaldo's mark in dazzling display".
For many, Guler is seen as one of football's wonderkids. Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos has praised the left-footed midfielder for "exceptional qualities in tight spaces" while coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed him as a rare talent.
"Carlo Ancelotti did send me a text message after my goal. I am thankful for his support," the midfielder said.
The youngster mentioned the overwhelming support and said: "It's not enough to say it was great. It was more than that."
After a season with ups and downs for Real, scoring six goals in 12 games but suffering a long injury lay-off, Guler seems to be heading for new shores.
This Saturday, Guler will face former record holder Ronaldo in his side's second group encounter against Portugal.
The Turkish youngster praised his team's robust will to harvest a victory from the start, and said his intention is not to gain individual accolades, but to help the team be successful.
"I see myself as a part of our country's team and am proud to be part of it," he said after having joined Madrid in 2023 for a reported 20 million euros, signing a six-year contract.
After all, the youngster contributed his share to the team's efforts to give a birthday present to coach Montella, who turned 50 on the matchday. ■
