Kerem Akturkoglu - Skills, Goals and Assists for Benfica and Turkey
Kerem Akturkoglu - Skills, Goals and Assists for Benfica and Turkey
Muhammed Kerem Aktürkoğlu, born on October 21, 1998, in İzmit, Turkey, is a highly regarded professional footballer renowned for his attacking prowess, primarily as a left winger. His electrifying speed, sharp dribbling, and ability to cut inside and shoot or deliver incisive passes have made him a significant threat on the field. Currently playing for Benfica in Portugal, Aktürkoğlu has rapidly risen through the ranks of Turkish football and established himself on the international stage.
Aktürkoğlu began his football journey in the youth academy of Başakşehir. However, despite signing his first professional contract with the club in 2015, he found limited opportunities. He later expressed frustration with his time at Başakşehir, feeling that years of his career were "stolen" due to a rigid hierarchy. This challenging period almost led him to quit football, but with family encouragement, he persevered.
To gain playing experience, Aktürkoğlu embarked on loan spells and free transfers to lower-league Turkish clubs. He played for Bodrumspor in the TFF Third League in 2016-2017, followed by Karacabey Belediyespor in 2018-2019, where he began to showcase his attacking potential. These experiences in the lower divisions were crucial for his development, providing him with consistent game time.
His breakout season came in 2019-2020 with 24 Erzincanspor in the TFF Third League. Aktürkoğlu had an impressive season, scoring 20 goals in 34 matches and playing a pivotal role in their promotion to the TFF 1. Lig. This prolific period drew significant attention from bigger clubs in Turkey.
In September 2020, Aktürkoğlu made a significant move to Galatasaray on a free transfer, marking his entry into top-flight Turkish football. His time at Galatasaray was transformational. He quickly became a fan favorite, known for his relentless energy and decisive contributions. He played a crucial role in Galatasaray's success, winning back-to-back Süper Lig titles in the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons, as well as the Turkish Super Cup in 2023.
His individual performances at Galatasaray were also highly recognized. In the 2021-2022 season, he was named the Süper Lig Player of the Season. He also led the league in assists during the 2022-2023 season and was included in the Süper Lig Team of the Season for that year. He became the player with the most appearances in a single season in Galatasaray's history, playing 52 matches in 2021-2022.
In September 2024, Aktürkoğlu made a notable transfer to Portuguese giants Benfica for a fee of €12 million. This move represents a new chapter in his career, allowing him to compete in one of Europe's top leagues and the UEFA Champions League. He has quickly made an impact, earning the Primeira Liga Player of the Month award in September/October 2024 and winning the Portuguese League Cup in 2025.
On the international stage, Aktürkoğlu has been a key player for the Turkey national team. He represented his country at various youth levels before making his senior debut in May 2021. He has been part of Turkey's squad for two UEFA European Championships (2020 and 2024), scoring his first international goal in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Norway in October 2021. He also scored a hat-trick against Iceland in the UEFA Nations League in September 2024.