Dries Mertens announces farewell to soccer

Dries Mertens ponders his future 

Dries Mertens is preparing to say goodbye to Galatasaray and, perhaps, to playing soccer as well. The former Napoli striker, who won the hearts of Turkish fans with top performances, has announced that his football career may have come to an end, with his last season at the Turkish club now drawing to a close.

Mertens, class of 1987, revealed in a conversation with coach Okan Buruk that his physical problems are heavily affecting his career. "After training and matches, I have a lot of pain. My physical condition is no longer è what it used to be"” confessed the Belgian striker. Despite his great love for the game, Mertens admitted that his body no longer allows him to play with the same intensity and continuity as he once did. Therefore, he has decided that he will leave Galatasaray at the end of the season.

The player, who è was one of the architects of Napoli’s success during his long stay in Italy, has chosen Galatasaray as his last football experience. In Istanbul, Mertens è quickly became an idol for the fans, but age is advancing and, unfortunately, his physical condition has also begun to decline. His will to continue playing è has been challenged by the physical pain that accompanies him on a daily basis, and the decision to leave the Turkish club now seems inevitable.

However, his farewell to the camp may not be permanent. Mertens has hinted that once he hangs up his boots, he may join the Galatasaray technical staff. The hypothesis of a future as a coach or technical collaborator under Okan Buruk è concrete, considering Mertens's long experience and great knowledge of soccer.

The Belgian has enjoyed an extraordinary career, not only with Napoli, but also with his national team. However, as is often the case in soccer, physical condition inevitably comes to condition the player’s choices. Mertens therefore leaves the field with a heart full of memories and a desire to remain in the world of soccer in a new capacity.