"Was really shocked" - Demir opens up about Galatasaray
Yusuf Demir returned to SK Rapid from Galatasaray last February. Some things happened in Istanbul "that only a few would want to see".
Galatasaray Istanbul transferred a fee of six million euros to SK Rapid in September 2022 to sign Yusuf Demir.
However, he made no more than 26 appearances in the following three and a half years (excluding a one-year loan spell at FC Basel), and the Viennese player mostly remained on the bench at Galatasaray.
Today, Demir looks back on his time at Galatasaray with a rather critical eye.
"Turkey is not comparable to European teams – even though I am Turkish and live in Austria, Germany, or Switzerland. These are like two different cultures. It's a completely different world there," Demir explained on the Rapid podcast "Vereinshören".
Demir refused questionable medical treatment
This became clear, among other things, when it came to medical treatment. As an example, the now 23-year-old attacking player cites a situation in September 2022 when he returned to Istanbul from the ÖFB U21 national team with an injured ankle.
According to Demir, due to the swollen ankle, neither training nor an appearance in the subsequent league match against Adana Demirspor was possible; he couldn't even get into his football boot. Galatasaray's team doctor, however, had other plans. He said: "We'll inject it, then you can travel with the team."
"Of course, I refused because I don't know what's in the injection," Demir had concerns.
"Only a few want to see what went on there"
These weren't the only concerns the Viennese player had during his time in Istanbul: "There were many medical problems that truly shocked me. Only a few want to see what went on in there."
Nevertheless, the four-time ÖFB national team player would make the move to Galatasaray again. "I don't regret it. I won four or five trophies."
Demir now wants to make his breakthrough at Rapid
However, Demir is now back at Rapid. In the first competitive match of the season, in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League against FC Santa Coloma, the attacking player immediately contributed a goal and an assist.
"It was a good preparation for me," the 23-year-old says, looking forward to making a full fresh start in Hütteldorf.
In the first round of the UNIQA ÖFB Cup against Wienerberg (Sunday, from 8:30 PM in the LIVE ticker), Demir will have to watch from the sidelines due to the red card he received for throwing his boot in Graz.
