This week, in our exclusive interview with Ümit KARAN, one of the best-known faces in the football world, who once made legendary history at Galatasaray, we talked about everything from sport to health, fashion, celebrity life and himself. Here are candid and important notes from the exclusive interview conducted by internationally successful Gymnastics Coach BERNA AKSAR of the Fresh models magazin team.
Image: The Galatasaray football team lined up on the pitch before a match; Ümit Karan in the number 99 shirt — Qwl, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
1. How did you start your sporting career?
Ü.K: I started on the street. When I was six, a coach grabbed me by the scruff of the neck. We had a shop there. Back then my mother and father’s German wasn’t very good. They were frightened, of course, when he grabbed me by the neck. My coach asked, whose child is this? My family thought I’d broken a window or damaged someone’s property. He said, I want him to play in my team. Then it carried on from there: Germany, the national team, Galatasaray.
2. Who gave you the greatest support during your sporting career?
Ü.K: My father did. My father trained a lot of athletes in Germany, may he rest in peace. My mother always told me to study, while my father encouraged me to play sport.
3. How do you assess sport, and football in particular, in Turkey?
Ü.K: It was a lot of fun in our day. Right now football is in decline. In my view, talent no longer competes. Even the fans don’t come to matches the way they used to. Interest has dropped sharply. God willing, we hope we’ll get back on the rise.
In general, there’s no interest in sport any more. You know, education is very important of course, but sport is necessary too. Let me give the example of my own child. He leaves home at eight in the morning and comes home at five in the evening. And then they give homework on top. Education needs to change a bit. The state builds nice facilities, but those facilities need to be put to use too. So rather than loading up only the brain, we also need to develop physically. It would be better, especially, if there were more activities in schools.
4. Who do you think are the best athletes in Turkey and in the world?
Ü.K: An easy question. No one can argue with Ronaldo and Messi, but no one can be like Maradona.
5. If we asked you about a moment from a match you will never forget, how would you answer?
Ü.K: I can never forget the moments I scored. Especially the goals I scored against Fenerbahçe.
6. What have you been doing since leaving professional sport?
Ü.K: I have businesses. I work as a football agent. I also work as a television pundit.
7. Football is a hugely popular sport in our country. What would you advise our young athletes?
Ü.K: In the past, talent was very important. Now everything has turned into the science of training. I, for example, would always run home from school. Now even an athlete who isn’t very talented can succeed with proper training.
8. Which of your former teammates are you still in touch with?
Ü.K: None
9. What does Ümit Karan do in his daily life?
Ü.K: He eats dürüm wraps 🙂 I live the same way everyone else does. I’m not someone who likes living the celebrity life, so I prefer to live modestly within my own circle.
10. Your favourite venue, the places you most like to go?
Ü.K: Frame. I don’t like any other venue 🙂
11. The trip that has stayed with you most?
Ü.K: Las Vegas and Miami are very impressive places, but I never enjoy anywhere as much as the trips I take in Turkey. I don’t get the same enjoyment in any country in Europe.
12. You went through the Survivor adventure. Could you briefly tell us your memories of it?
Ü.K: Survivor is a tough process, of course. Contrary to what people say outside, that you’re given food, that there are toilets, we had nothing at all. The hardest part was the hunger. May God spare everyone from going through it.
13. Let’s talk a little about fashion. How would you describe your style?
Ü.K: I always dress casually. I don’t really go for anything else, even at weddings. At most I’ll wear a shirt. I don’t even wear a tie.
14. Which brands do you particularly prefer?
Ü.K: I wear any brand that suits me. Of course, it changes from time to time. In the past, when there weren’t so many brands, I used to prefer Donna Karan because of the Ümit Karan–Donna Karan comparison.
15. In your opinion, who is the best-dressed man in Turkey?
Ü.K:
16. Which perfume do you wear?
Ü.K: I like Joop Homme and Tom Ford. Sometimes I go back to classic scents too.
17. What do you spend the most money on?
Ü.K: Clothes. Apart from that, I don’t spend much on anything.
18. If you were to throw a party, what would it be for and what would it be like?
Ü.K: I’ve never thrown a party other than for my own birthdays.
19. If you could stay forever young, what age would you like to stay?
Ü.K: I’m happy with my age right now, but of course I’d prefer to be younger. I’d like to stay 26 or 27, around that age.
20. Have you been offered any new projects, such as film, TV or advertising?
Ü.K: In fact, my film is in cinemas right now. It’s called Yıldızlar da Kayar (Stars Fall Too). On top of that, advertising projects are coming in as well. They’ve found the handsome guy and want to use him.
21. Let’s talk a little about women. What does “a beautiful woman” mean to you?
Ü.K: A woman who takes care of her body, who is well groomed and who knows how to carry herself is a beautiful woman.
22. What do you notice most in a woman?
Ü.K: Her smile and her poise are important.
23. What can you not tolerate in a woman?
Ü.K: Respect is very important to me. Everyone needs to show each other respect. Whether a relationship is good or bad, I can’t tolerate disrespect.