Hamit Altintop - one of the most outstanding Turkish football players

Turkey is not the leading country in the football plan, but we can safely say that sometimes there are very talented Turkish players who manage to get to the very top. One of these athletes was Hamit Altintop. This central midfielder, who is already gradually moving towards the completion of his professional career, several years ago was one of the most sought-after players in Europe. What career did this footballer do? What clubs did Hamit Altintop perform for and what did he achieve with them?

Carier start

Hamit Altintop is a native of Germany - he was born in 1982 in Gelsenkirchen. However, from early childhood, he knew that he would play for the national team of Turkey. He went through several football academies in Germany, until at the age of 15 he found himself in the Academy of the Wattenscheid Club. When the young Turk was 18 years old, it was this club that offered him his first professional contract. Then very few people considered it promising. That's why for two and a half years the Turks played for the club of the lower division of Germany, where he played in the total of 75 matches, scoring 12 goals. Only then the 21-year-old Hamit Altintop was spotted by scouts from other larger German teams.

And in 2003, a miracle happened - for two million euros, an unknown midfielder moved to one of Germany's strongest clubs, Schalke. It was then that he began his ascent in big football.

Rise in the Schalke

Many were surprised that the coach "Schalke" almost immediately entrusted the young inexperienced Turk the place in the basis, because all the speeches of the latter in professional football fell to the regional league. However, even more fans were surprised when the Turkish football player began to show an outstanding game. Already in the first season he played 33 matches, scoring five goals and demonstrating incredible abilities. For four years, Altintop played for Schalke, in 2005, winning his first trophy - the League of Germany Cup. And a year before he was recognized in his national team - Hamit made his debut in the Turkish national team in 2004 at the age of 22 years.

Naturally, such indicators did not go unnoticed by football giants. In 2007, the dream of any football player was fulfilled: the contract between Altyntop and Schalke expired, but the new signed Munich Bayern Munich, the strongest club in Germany and one of the best in the world.

Heyday in the "Bavaria"

When the Turks came to "Bavaria", he was considered a very interesting and promising player, so he often played at the base or go on to replace. Of course, he understood that after 149 matches for Schalke in Bavaria he does not shine so much practice if he does not give himself completely to football. And he did everything that was in his power. He could play at almost any position and was always ready to help the team.

Together with Bayern Hamit played 86 games in four years - the first two seasons he was pursued by injuries, and in the second two injuries became less, but Hamit simply did not get to the basis of the level. This did not prevent him from winning the German championship twice with Bayern Munich, the German Cup twice, the League Cup and the German Super Cup once, and also in 2010 to reach the Champions League final. When there was a chance to go to another great club, Altintop did not miss it.

Sunset in the "Real"

In 2011, the 29-year-old moved to Madrid "Real", where, however, he was assigned only the role of reservist. For a whole year Hamit played in just 12 matches, but at the same time managed to win the championship of Spain before he realized that the top clubs - this is not his level. As a result, he moved to FC Galatasaray.

Speeches for "Galatasaray"

The strongest club of Turkey paid for Altyntopa "Real" three and a half million euros, and to this day, these costs have more than paid off. Hamit became an important part of the team: in the first season he played forty matches and helped his club to become the champion of the country, and also to win the Supercup of Turkey. But in the next season the injuries returned, and the midfielder played only in eight games. The third season he again held at the height - 32 matches and two goals, but the last year he completely lay in the infirmary, not appearing on the field once. His contract is valid for another year, and if the player's health does not improve, then he will have to retire at 34.