Inter Milan Star ‘Proud’ Of Landmark 100th Appearance For Turkey: ‘It’s Not Easy’ | OneFootball

Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu says that he is “proud” to have made a hundred appearances for the Turkish national team.

The 31-year-old spoke to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset, via FCInterNews, after his national team’s World Cup qualifying win over Bulgaria.

Yesterday, Hakan Calhanoglu started for Turkey in a World Cup qualifying clash with Bulgaria.

Turkey won the match by an emphatic 6-1 scoreline. This was a significant result and a big step towards qualification for the World Cup next summer.

Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu wore the captain’s armband during the match. He has been the captain of his national team since the retirement from international duty of Burak Yilmaz in 2022.

Inter Midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu: “Proud Of 100 Appearances For Turkey – It’s Not Easy”

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Hakan Calhanoglu of Internazionale battles for possession with Vasilije Adzic of Juventusduring the Serie A match between Juventus FC and FC Internazionale at Allianz Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Calhanoglu has been a key player for Turkey for over a decade.

The 31-year-old has played for the likes of Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen, and AC Milan before he joined Inter on a free transfer in the summer of 2021.

But through it all, Hakan Calhanoglu has always had just as big of a role for his national team.

That fact is reflected by the fact that the Inter midfielder has captained Turkey for several years now. And it has also led to him hitting triple figures for appearances, a rare feat.

Calhanoglu commented after yesterday’s win over Bulgaria. He called the victory “a brilliant evening.”

“I’m proud to captain the national team,” said the Inter midfielder.

“I know it’s not easy to reach a hundred appearances for the national team,” Calhanoglu added. “I’m proud of myself.”

Then, the 31-year-old added that “I’m thankfully to everyone who’s helped me to get here.”