Belgian forward Dries Mertens has made a highly anticipated return to Istanbul, landing at Istanbul Airport with his family. The Galatasaray player arrived on flight TK171 from Hong Kong, where he had been on vacation, touching down in the afternoon to a warm welcome.
Upon his arrival, Mertens was met with significant attention from fans and citizens present at the airport. Demonstrating his connection with the supporters, he graciously accepted numerous requests for photographs, engaging warmly with the crowd that had gathered to see him.
A notable moment from his arrival was his use of Turkish phrases, which did not go unnoticed by those present. The player made a point to express his strong feelings for his club and his adopted city, stating that he had missed Galatasaray greatly and that he holds a deep love for both Istanbul and Turkey as a whole.
When directly asked by reporters if he had a message for the Galatasaray fanbase, Mertens offered a promising and direct reply. He told the supporters, "See you Saturday," a clear hint that he is preparing to make his return to the squad and could feature in an upcoming match.
The sentiment of feeling at home in Istanbul was echoed by his wife, Katrin Kerkhofs. She expressed their collective happiness and affection upon returning to the city, emphasizing that they feel a strong sense of belonging and have missed Istanbul during their time away.
Kerkhofs also took a moment to address the Galatasaray supporters directly. She extended her best wishes to the fans, expressing her hope for the team to secure a championship, adding that she believes achieving this goal is well within the club's reach.
The arrival of Mertens and his family signals a positive development for Galatasaray as they prepare for their next fixtures. His evident enthusiasm and direct communication with the fans suggest he is mentally and physically ready to rejoin his teammates on the pitch.
Based on reporting from Hürriyet.