Arda Turan named man of the year in Turkey

Arda Turan is the man of the year in Turkey for 2015 - so say GQ magazine and the FC Barcelona player received the award from former basketball star Hidayet Turkoglu in an event that took place in the midfielder’s home country that was attended by more than 600 personalities from the world of sport, art and business.

In his acceptance speech the Turkish international conveyed his delight at receiving the accolade, giving special thanks to the man who had presented him the award, former NBA star Turkoglu. Arda Turan’s 2015 has included signing for Barça and leading Turkey to the finals of Euro 2016 in France next summer, nevertheless, he remains humble and with his feet on the ground: “Tomorrow we can lose again or win, but I will always be here in front of you with the same stance.”

Arda, with his partner Aslihan Dogan, also had a message for his team mates. Asked about which of them would have made a good companion for the gala award ceremony, the Barça midfielder was clear: “Any of them really but I think Dani Alves would be the one who would have been best dressed for the occasion.”

In 2014 the same magazine named Arda Turan as best sportsman of the year.