In Zimbabwe, there’s a saying: “Moto wemapepa,” which merely interprets to “paper flames.”
They blaze quick, burn vibrant and die out earlier than the firewood even catches.
Turkish soccer, notably the Süper Lig, has turn into the embodiment of that proverb – short-lived sparks of pleasure, fleeting flashes of promise and a power habit to large names with out long-term considering.
Few leagues have embraced this sort of short-termism fairly like Türkiye’s high flight.
Even earlier than the latest inflow of ageing European stars, Türkiye had already rolled out the purple carpet for a few of soccer’s largest names – most arriving on the twilight of their careers, with grand guarantees and equally grand exits.
Disposable flashy signings
Roberto Carlos’ transfer to Fenerbahçe in 2007 was a bombshell.
The Brazilian legend was nonetheless a worldwide icon, and his arrival was met with hysteria.
Fans chanted his title. Media cameras adopted his each step.
While he had moments of high quality, his two-year keep didn’t shift the membership’s European fortunes or set up a brand new period.
His legacy was largely symbolic – a present of ambition, not a technique.
Didier Drogba got here to Galatasaray in 2013, recent off Champions League glory with Chelsea.
In simply 18 months, he helped Galatasaray win a league title and attain the Champions League quarterfinals. His expertise was invaluable, his objectives well timed – however like most marquee arrivals in Türkiye, his stint was transient.
No system was constructed round him. No long-term plan adopted.
Robin van Persie, the previous Arsenal and Manchester United striker, arrived at Fenerbahçe in 2015 amid fireworks, guarantees and packed stadiums.
But the Dutchman, affected by accidents and inconsistent kind, by no means absolutely delivered on the hype.
His frustrations with administration had been typically seen. Despite scoring 22 objectives in his first season, Fenerbahçe nonetheless fell brief in each the league and Europe. Three years later, he was gone – one other title added to the membership’s scrapbook of “what could have been.”
Now, Jose Mourinho stands on the coronary heart of Turkish soccer’s newest firestorm.
Appointed as Fenerbahçe’s head coach in June 2024, his arrival triggered wild celebrations. Thousands of followers mobbed the airport. The membership launched cinematic unveiling movies. A serial winner had lastly arrived – and with him, the dream of glory.
But even earlier than a ball was kicked, questions loomed: Would Mourinho keep past one season? Would the membership adapt to his inflexible strategies? Would this be a sustainable mission or simply one other flash within the pan?
The sample is evident. The Süper Lig repeatedly turns to large names in moments of disaster or desperation – believing {that a} splashy signing will purchase time, enhance morale and silence critics. It’s the identical cycle.
Mesut Özil’s signing by Fenerbahçe in 2021 was framed as a fairytale. The legendary playmaker was coming house.
But inside a 12 months, his fairytale ended with him being sidelined, exiled and finally launched. Behind-the-scenes drama eclipsed something he supplied on the pitch.
Mario Balotelli, Dries Mertens, Mauro Icardi, Wilfried Zaha and Hakim Ziyech all adopted comparable trajectories: transient moments of brilliance surrounded by inconsistency, accidents or tactical misfits. Each got here with world recognition. Each left – or is prone to go away – with out reshaping the crew or contributing to a bigger imaginative and prescient.
Behind these glamorous strikes lies a troubling reality: Turkish golf equipment typically lack continuity. Managers are disposable. Youth programs are underfunded. Transfers are dictated extra by hype than want. Aging stars are most popular over nurturing new expertise.
Financially, it’s a bleeding wound. The “Big Four” – Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor – carry a mixed debt exceeding 1.14 billion euros ($1.3 billion).
And but, summer time after summer time, they chase high-profile names and short-term fixes. Their obsession with at this time ignores tomorrow.
This leads to home titles that fail to construct dynasties.
European campaigns that collapse earlier than the group levels.
Promising native skills like Arda Güler are snatched away earlier than they mature.
Players like Barış Alper Yılmaz present promise, however typically play underneath the shadow of pricey, fading imports.
There are glimpses of change. Trabzonspor’s 2022 title got here from a balanced mission relatively than star energy.
Galatasaray’s integration of younger Turkish gamers has been extra constant underneath Okan Buruk. But they continue to be exceptions.
Until Turkish soccer sheds its love affair with paper flames – signings that burn vibrant however burn out – the Süper Lig will maintain circling the identical loop: grand arrivals, transient highs, no legacy.
And the embers of one other forgotten celebrity will flicker out within the Istanbul night time.
Source: www.dailysabah.com