Young Turkish footballers enjoy unique experience at Inter Academy Project

By Serkan Avci

MERSIN, Türkiye (AA) - Five hundred young Turkish footballers recently enjoyed a unique recreational and educational experience in Türkiye's southern province of Mersin.

The two-day event held Sept. 19-20 began with various national institutions in attendance, followed by a special training session led by Inter Milan Vice President Javier Zanetti at Mersin Stadium.

Zanetti said it is very important that Inter Academy operates in Türkiye.

"We especially wish to convey our values and working principles here," he told Anadolu Agency.

He had a clear preference when asked who is the best player of all time.

Zanetti prefers Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo. "There is no doubt,"​​​​​​​ he said.

Inter Academy has 900 young football players in the southern province of Mersin, with 1,500 across Türkiye, spanning 11 locations, including Mersin (HQ), Istanbul, Antalya, Denizli, Kayseri, Bursa and Diyarbakir.

The Italian Serie A club called the project "an important step in the development of training young local players and coaches" and young football players will develop with Inter's "high technical and ethical standards" in their own country.