Man United’s Altay Bayindir outlines lofty World Cup ambitions for Turkey | OneFootball

Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir has highlighted his ambitious World Cup goal for Turkey ahead of the start of the tournament.

Maiden World Cup

With the World Cup set to kick off this week, the football world is alive with excitement.

It will be the first of his career for Bayindir, who joined United in the summer of 2023 from Fenerbahce. Turkey last played in the World Cup at the 2002 tournament in Korea and Japan, where they achieved their best-ever result. They finished in third place after defeating co-hosts South Korea in the bronze medal match.

Bayindir will be hoping to be the starter for his nation and it’s not just because of a need to make history. It’s looking increasingly likely that his time at Old Trafford has come to an end.

Besiktas are believed to be eyeing a swoop for the United shot-stopper, having unsuccessfully tried to sign him during the January transfer window.

If Bayindir shines at the North American tournament, he will lure more suitors and enhance his leverage in negotiations.

The 28-year-old spoke to United media and made it clear that he is not satisfied with just taking part in the World Cup, he wants to win it.

Ambitious target

Bayindir said, “Yeah, so this situation is also giving us big confidence, because we did something before, we can do more. We have a very good team at the moment, many talented players, almost everyone is playing in Europe, everyone has a good memory of what they can do.”

“So, I think we can do better maybe this year in World Cup. I wish, but a game is a game, anything can happen. So, we have to go away step by step.”

He continued, “I’m talking from my side, I’m not thinking like what can happen, where we can be. We have like the first game, we have to focus on the first game [and then after that], game, game, game. We will go like this, step by step. So, I hope in the end we can be successful, we can do good things. Why not? We can be champion also. Why not?”

But Bayindir is not getting carried away and knows that it will not be easy.

“In this level, every team is strong. So we will fight there. I’m not thinking like it’s a good group, it’s an easy group, or it’s a difficult group because every game in this level, every game will be difficult for us and also for them.”

“We have a good friendship, everyone together, everyone close. Like outside the pitch, we are together when we are going to camp, like everyone is going to the same room. We are always close, we are talking always before the game because the age [across the squad] is almost the same, everyone is together, everyone is kind, everyone is giving respect.”

“Everyone is respectful of each other, so it’s giving a good feeling, so you can be successful from this way.”

Bayindir finished off by saying, “Yeah, of course it’s a dream. But my dream was not to play in the World Cup. My dream was to take the cup.”

Turkey start their World Cup on Sunday, 14 June, when they take on Australia at BC Place in Vancouver.

Featured image Jan Kruger via Getty Images

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