Can Bartu

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24 Feb 2024

National football player, sports writer (B. 30 January 1936, Istanbul - D. 12 April 2019, Istanbul). Length 1.86 m . Weight: 80 kg . Nicknames: Baron, Señor. He started sports with basketball at Fenerbahçe. Thanks to Fikret Arıcan, he chose football and played many successful matches in Fenerbahçe. In 1961, he was transferred to Italy's Fiorentina team. He later also played for Venezia and Lazio. He returned to Fenerbahçe in 1967. He played 326 matches in the Yellow-Navy blue jersey and scored 162 goals. He took over as goalkeeper in the Türkiye - Romania match after goalkeeper Turgay Şeren was injured. And in this experience, he conceded 1 goal. (1958-Last 7 minutes). He became the first Turkish football player to play a final match in European cups (Fiorentina-Atletico Madrid). He wore the national jersey 26 times and scored 6 goals.

The star, whose fame spreads day by day, could not fit into Turkey. While playing for Fenerbahçe, in the match they played with Hungarian champion Csapel in Istanbul, he responded to the conceded goal in the 97th second in the 86th minute and the match ended 1-1. In the rematch, which was won 3-2, he dazzled not only Fenerbahce fans but also Hungarians with the football he played. Hidegkuti, Lantos and Kocsis, who came to the dressing room after the match, hugged Bartu's neck. After a while, Hidegkuti became the coach of Fiorentina, and that day, he wanted the number 8 Bartu, and his days as Signor began.

Coincidentally, two stars of these lands, Can Bartu and Metin Oktay, were transferred to Italy in the same season. While the uncrowned King could only stay in his hometown's Palermo team for one year; Bartu played for Fiorentina, Venezia and Lazio for six years. Bartu, who was known as "Baron" in Turkey because of his careful and tasteful dressing and, in the words of the master, his elegant football, was nicknamed "Sinyor" by the Turkish press when he went to Italy. Although Bartu joked about this nickname, which means "Sir" in Italian, "We were reduced from baron to signior", it was clear that the nickname reflected his gentry.

When Can Bartu returned home, the calendar showed 1967. He once again stormed the fields where he would play for three more years. Fenerbahçe's tactics in the match against Manchester City were proof that he saw football in Europe and evaluated it from a different perspective. While his team was leading 2-1, he did not want to take any risks in the remaining 14 minutes, so he started from the center field and constantly passed the ball to the goal line. So much so that the rival coach Allison's plea to the referee, "This guy doesn't let us play the ball," received the response, "Everything he does is within the rules"!

Can Bartu, who left football in 1970, could not break away from football and today, he makes the best use of his experiences and knowledge in the field of sports, as a sports writer in newspapers and magazines, and as a commentator in the Football Agenda program with Can Bartu on Fenerbahçe Television. Can Bartu, known as "Sinyor Bartu" by Italian football fans due to his stylish clothing, took his place among the unforgettable ones as the "signor" of Turkish football. He currently works as a sports writer. He made history by scoring 28 points in basketball and 2 goals in football against Galatasaray on the same day. Can Bartu represented Fenerbahçe in the first round draw held on 29 August 2008, as the 2008/2009 season UEFA Cup final would be played at Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium.

The first coach of Can BARTU, who started playing basketball in the Fenerbahçe youth team in 1949, was Önder DAİ. Önder DAİ was a basketball-loving coach who left his profession as a medical doctor for his love of basketball and to take better care of his players. Although Can BARTU and his team won the away match against Edirne in an away match against Edirne, where he went with the Fenerbahçe youth team while playing basketball, the Fenerbahçe Youth Football team lost 3-0 to the Edirne team in the match played in Edirne on the same day. Reşat ERKE, the Fenerbahçe Football Youth team coach at the time, heard that Can BARTU was a good football player. Fenerbahçe Youth Football team coach invited Can BARTU to the Edirne mixed match the next day, perhaps as a savior for the team. Can BARTU brought victory to his team with a very good game and scoring 1 goal in his first match. Then, 3 months later, he was called to the National Team by Eşfak AYKAÇ, the manager of the National Football Team at the time, and played his first National Match. He wore the national jersey 26 times in total and scored 6 goals.

Can BARTU, who became a 7-time Basketball A National because it coincided with the years when very few National matches were played, was probably the player who scored the first Jump-Shot in Turkey. Can BARTU continued his football career successfully in Fenerbahçe and Italy Serie A for many years and took his place at the forefront among the unforgettable players of our football and basketball world.

Can Bartu, the iconic name of Fenerbahçe, whose name was written on the anthems and given to the facilities, one day played in the same team with his Galatasaray friends in the miniature castle match. Can Bartu, whom we know to have sportively put on the Galatasaray jersey for his friend Metin Oktay's jubilee many years later, actually wore the jersey of his arch-rival for the first time that day. Moreover, he scored nine goals against Fenerbahçe that day in this jersey! Although the match could not be completed due to a fight, the young talent was noticed immediately. They immediately went to Baba Gündüz and talked about Can Bartu's talent; It was said that he could play in Galatasaray for 5 thousand liras. It is not known whether Signor would accept the offer, but Gündüz Kılıç never got into this ball. He said that he knew Can and that he would never give up basketball for football.

In 1974, Fecri Ebcioğlu writes the anthem "Live Fenerbahçe", which is sung even today. For the first time, we hear "Jihatlar, Lefters, Canlar, Fikretler" from Nesrin Sipahi's voice. Now the only name left to us from that line is his.

Death:

A ceremony was held at Fenerbahçe Ülker Stadium for the legendary football player Can Bartu, who lost his life in Istanbul on the night between April 11 and April 12. Along with the football players, coaches and managers also attended the ceremony.

After Bartu's funeral prayer was performed at the Marmara Theological Faculty Mosque, he was buried in Karacahmet.

Speaking at the ceremony held for Bartu, Ali Koç made the following statements:

"We are here to bid farewell to another of our legends. I would like to thank everyone who did not leave us alone and shared our pain. We would like to thank our Minister of Youth and Sports, who attended our ceremony on behalf of our state and is a good Fenerbahçe supporter."

"I would like to thank those who reached out and shared their sadness from the moment the news of his death came. We lost a great Fenerbahçe player who became a legend with his exemplary personality and noble stance, his outspoken character, his extraordinary stories and unique achievements, and above all, his good humanity, and who had his name written in history in golden letters." My condolences to all of Turkey."

Fenerbahçe Club Supreme Council Board President Vefa Küçük emphasized that Can Bartu is a name respected not only by Fenerbahçe but also by Turkish sports, and said:

"I had the pleasure of watching Lefters, Cans and many more. Can Bartu was a symbol of the name given to children in Turkish society. We also named my great-grandson Can. I bow before him with respect and love."

Fenerbahçe Football Team Captain Volkan Demirel expressed that they were very sorry to lose Can Bartu and said:

"We have lost a great brother. My condolences to all of us. Our brother Can has a very special place in Turkish football. He will always live in our hearts. We will always carry this jersey he entrusted to us with us. Those who live for Çubuklu never die."

Can Bartu's daughter, Gülfer Arığ, emphasized that they experienced an indescribable feeling and said:

"It is a great loss for our family, Fenerbahçe and Turkish sports. We thank everyone who shared our pain. Hearing this great community from him was an invaluable feeling for me. There is not enough time here to describe it. The memories he left will remain eternal for me. I am glad that Turkish sports and Fenerbahçe "The legend of 's became my father. I would like to thank everyone who expressed their condolences to us on behalf of my mother and myself for being with us. Be worthy of this fan like Mehmetçik Basri, Lefter and Can in tomorrow's Galatasaray derby."

Can Bartu's wife Güler Bartu said the following in her speech:

"Last time we discussed naming our dog 'Top'. Can said, 'I earned my living from this, our dog's name will be Top.' "We lost our son's father yesterday. Can left me very good memories. Yesterday I realized that he also left very good friends and friendships. I would like to thank everyone who called us and expressed their condolences."

After the speeches and prayers, Can Bartu's body was taken from the platform by Fenerbahçe football players and placed in a hearse outside the stadium.

Can Bartu's body was buried in Karacaahmet Cemetery after the funeral prayer to be performed at the Marmara Theological Faculty Mosque at noon.