Juventus starlet Kenan Yildiz will ‘try to replicate’ Alessandro Del Piero’s iconic tongue celebration against Inter on Sunday as he claims that the Bianconeri are ‘determined’ to bounce back after their first defeat of the season against Stuttgart.
The 19-year-old made his debut for the Old Lady last season under Massimiliano Allegri and has since imposed himself as a regular starter in Thiago Motta’s side, drawing comparisons with club legend Del Piero both for his playing style and for sticking his tongue out when celebrating goals.
While the Turkey international admitted he had a ‘good relationship’ with Allegri, he believes that Motta’s arrival was ‘a breath of fresh air’, as he described the new coach as a person who ‘always wants to win’.
Yildiz explains why he swapped Bayern for Juventus, relationship with Del Piero and Thiago Motta
Born in Germany, Yildiz came through Bayern Munich youth ranks before deciding to join Juventus Next Gen in 2022, as he felt the Bianconeri offered him ‘better opportunities’. He has since become a first-team player, made his debut for Turkey and worn the Old Lady’s number 10 jersey, a meteoric growth that he defined as ‘exciting’.
“Living all these things in a quick time was very exciting,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview.
“I worked hard since I was a kid, and when you see things are going well, you feel pleased with it, but I only have a 15-year career behind me and I hope to achieve many more goals.
“I put my first professional goal, the number 10 shirt and my Turkey debut among my best moments.
“I started playing when I was three and a half, but football was always part of my life. I have a picture of me as a little kid with a ball in my hands. I decided I would become a footballer at six, I felt I had the potential. I’m determined.
“[I left Bayern Munich] because Juventus offered me better opportunities. The project was convincing, and I felt at ease since the first moment.
“I’m very well-balanced as a person, but I don’t like to be alone and I feel bad when I’m not playing football.”
As much as football has accompanied Yildiz since his childhood, he likes cultivating alternative passions when he’s not playing or at the training ground.
“I watch important games, also to grow and get better, but I prefer staying with my family and friends in my spare time,” he explained.
“I discovered golf a couple of months ago. I play with Rouhi from time to time, so I can stay in the open air and free my mind.”
His interest in golf is just one of the things that he shares with Juventus icon Alessandro Del Piero, a figure he has always regarded as a ‘legend’ even before wearing the Bianconeri’s number 10 shirt, which historically belonged to the former Italy international.
“For me, he has always been a legend, when I scored against Frosinone I got his towel as a present, and we’ve had a good relationship since then,” Yildiz added.
“I’m happy to have the chance to speak with him, he gives me advice and helps me grow up.
“My family and I were very happy that I could wear this shirt. It’s a goal for me but I’m aware that it is a heavy number. I hope to be able to live up to it and have fun.”
Yildiz’s habit of sticking his tongue out when celebrating goals was also inspired by Del Piero, but the Turkish talent ignored that his idol made such an iconic gesture for the first time after netting against Inter, a crucial game for the Bianconeri which comes after their first seasonal defeat.
“Really? No, I didn’t know that [the tongue celebration was born in San Siro], I’ll try to replicate it tomorrow then,” he said.
“Inter are a good team and we’d get a lot of positive energy by beating them. We are Juventus, we’re strong, and we go to the San Siro to win. The championship is long, there are many games, and we need to strive to do as many points as we can, then we’ll see.
“We need to stay positive despite difficulties and keep working hard. There’s no time to ruminate on it [their defeat against Stuttgart], we need to look forward.”
Asked to comment on how things changed after Thiago Motta’s arrival at Juventus, Yildiz explained described his new manager as a ‘positive’ person.
“A new coach always brings a breath of fresh air, but I had a good relationship with Allegri too,” the young forward conceded.
“Motta is a positive guy and helps us improve, he’s a generous person who always wants to win, like me. We have a playful relationship, he always gives me a pat on my shoulder when he sees me.”