The FIFA World Cup 2026 is fast approaching, and fans are eagerly awaiting the event. The latest issue of FIFA's official magazine featured an interview with Vincenzo Montella, the technical director of the Turkish national football team. Montella described the team's return to the World Cup after 24 years as unparalleled.

Montella said, "I felt like I was on top of the world. There's nothing bigger in football to win. The Turkish people have given me so much, and I tried to pass that on to the players. I'm proud of my players."

DEL PIERO-KENAN YILDIZ COMPARISON

Montella also compared Juventus legend Del Piero with Turkish star Kenan Yıldız. The 51-year-old coach noted, "There are some similarities between Del Piero and Kenan. Kenan can score as many beautiful goals as Del Piero. However, their playing styles are quite different. The greatest advantage of Kenan is his ability to combine natural talent with a positive mindset. He approaches football very positively and is open to development. It's still too early to confine him to a single position. He can play as a right winger, in the number 10 role, or as a second striker. While he is more effective in a wider area, I wish he could penetrate the penalty box more often. He would score more goals if he does that consistently."

MONTELLA COMPARES ARDA GÜLER TO MARADONA

Montella, who praised Real Madrid player Arda Güler by comparing him to Maradona, said, "Arda is a player who needs to continue developing physically. However, he is mentally very strong. He can successfully take on many roles on the field. Like Maradona was loved in Naples, Arda is very loved in Turkey. He is under a lot of pressure, but he handles it with maturity. His ability to read the game, his instincts, and his decision-making skills are extraordinary. He can slow down the game or speed it up. He is also capable of creating goal threats."