Luciano Spalletti has contacted Kenan Yildiz following Türkiye’s exit from the 2026 World Cup after just two matches, despite the overall quality within their squad.
Türkiye were expected to perform strongly at the tournament due to the presence of several high-level players from top European clubs, including Real Madrid, Juventus and Inter Milan.
Yildiz entered the competition carrying an injury and was initially named on the bench for their opening match, where Türkiye suffered a defeat to Australia in a match decided by fine margins. He returned to the starting line-up for the second fixture, but they were also beaten by ten man Paraguay.
Turkiye World Cup Exit and Performance
Despite their early exit, Türkiye showed periods of promise, with Yildiz among their standout performers whenever he was on the pitch. However, their lack of efficiency in front of goal proved costly, as several clear chances were missed across both matches.
Those missed opportunities ultimately contributed to their elimination, leaving disappointment given the expectations placed on the squad at the start of the tournament.
Spalletti Support and Injury Recovery
Yildiz has since received personal support from his club manager, with Calciomercato reporting that Spalletti called him directly to offer reassurance following the tournament exit.
The manager reportedly encouraged him to disconnect from football temporarily and focus on recovering fully from the physical issues that affected him towards the end of the league season and during the World Cup.
Yildiz remains an important player for both club and country, and Juventus are keen for him to return in optimal condition ahead of the new season, where he is expected to play a significant role in their plans.
