TURIN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 16: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund at Juventus Stadium on September 16, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 16: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund at Juventus Stadium on September 16, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Juventus star Kenan Yildiz is excited to face Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, but plays down comparisons with Alessandro Del Piero: ‘I want to build my own history.’
Yildiz’s Juventus play away at Real Madrid on Wednesday in the Champions League Round 3.
It will be the first time for Yildiz at the Bernabeu and the Turkish starlet can’t wait for the game to begin.
“Every kid dreams of playing in that stadium,” Yildiz told UEFA.
“I think it’s one of the best in the world, and being able to play there now is a dream come true. Facing a club like that in the Champions League is simply amazing. I hope everything goes well, and I hope to play a great match.”
Yildiz is 20, but this is already the third season he has worn the Juventus’ No.10 that previously belonged to the best players in the club’s history, including the legendary Alessandro Del Piero.
Yildiz on wearing the Juventus’ No.10
TURIN, ITALY - OCTOBER 05: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus FC competes with Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 05: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus FC competes with Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“At first, I thought: ‘Oh my God, will I be able to handle the No.10?’ But after that, I didn’t give it too much importance,” Yildiz said.
“I simply wanted that number to shine and have fun. To be honest, the number doesn’t play. I do. So, I always to to give everything to show what I’m capable of. I hope things have gone well so far, so I want to keep going like this.
“It’s an amazing feeling. It’s every kid’s dream, and now I wear this shirt in a club like this. I always say I don’t like comparisons between me and him [Del Piero] because he’s a legend,” continued the Juventus star.
Yildiz: ‘I want to build my own history’
TURIN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 16: Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund battles for possession with Kenan Yildiz of Juventus during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund at Juventus Stadium on September 16, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 16: Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund battles for possession with Kenan Yildiz of Juventus during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund at Juventus Stadium on September 16, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“His career is over; mine has just started. I want to build my own history. He’s someone I’ve always admired, and I am proud to wear his number at this club.”
Yildiz is regarded as one of the best players in Europe right now, but the Juventus talent will continue focusing on his performances only.
“It’s a great motivation, but I always focus on myself,” he said.
Italy and Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero on punditry duty during EURO 2024. (Del Piero: ‘I’m really happy for you, Kenan’ - Yildiz breaks 19-year-old record)
Italy and Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero on punditry duty during EURO 2024. (Del Piero: ‘I’m really happy for you, Kenan’ – Yildiz breaks 19-year-old record)
“I don’t really like comparisons. I am who I am. I’m not like anyone else. That’s why I only look at myself.”
The opportunity to face off against the best players in the world, however, does excite the young Juventus star.
“Absolutely yes. It excites me because as I kid I dreamed of being there and now my name is among those of the main players. So yes, it’s a great source of pride and an incredible emotion,” he concluded.
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