Mertens: 'I wanted to end my time at Galatasaray with a good memory!'

Created: July 13, 2025 07:00

Dries Mertens, who is ending his active football career by saying goodbye to Galatasaray , said he enjoyed his three years with the yellow-red team. Speaking to Calcionapoli 24, the Belgian star explained when he made the decision to retire and why he stayed at Galatasaray for a year longer than he planned:

He won 5 cups in 3 years with Aslan

"The decision to retire is about slowing down and being a little less 'good.' I wanted to end it with a good memory at Galatasaray, and this was the right time for me. I want to be close to my family and have more free time. That's all."

In his three seasons with the yellow-reds, Mertens played in 136 official matches, scoring 25 goals and providing 44 assists. The experienced star, who won his first career championship with Galatasaray, won three Süper Lig titles, one Turkish Cup, and one TFF Super Cup.