-Rustu Recber-

I Did Everything For Turkey

English Version

My fellow friends,

Finally I am within you. After the 17th Annual World Cup which we saw as totally important, we have finally returned home. When I say return, I cannot forget to talk about the celebrations at the Polat Renaissance that lasted until morning.

While we were coming back to Istanbul we were talking with friends, and we knew about the tens of thousands of people that would come to see us once we landed. But we definitely did not expect such a fantastic celebration. Our tiredness after 10 hours of voyage was totally worth the celebration. Especially what I felt at the Taksim square was special… I don’t know how many more years of football I will play, but after this my aim is to come across my fans with the same pride again. In football there is never a success’ end, but after this, to get to success again we will try everything and try to succeed with will. The reason for this is because we achieved the success once.

I am being evaluated as one of the World Cup’s best goalies. This is without suspicion a great pride for me. And in FIFA’s website, there was a poll and thousands of Turks went there and voted for me. I would like to thank all of you for this. We owe you so much because of the love and support you gave us and I also feel like I owe you so much because of all this.

I also want to those who kept on clapping for me on the way to Taksim square. If you really find me successful, how happy I am! Whatever I did, I did it for my country, I did it for Turkey. I don’t really want to think about anything after this. Even if rest is normal, it is a thing that we all need. I want to use my opportunity of rest for a long time. After my holiday I will take part in Fenerbahce’s Austria camp. Just like I said before, there is no limit for success. Now, next season we will be aiming high and for success in the Super Lig and Champion’s League. Last season we had bad results. We want everyone to forget that. We want to make our spectators and the Turkish people happy. But to make myself ready for the new season, I need this essential rest.

To speak to you all again…

Rustu Recber

2/7/2002