14-year-old Guerre: My mother cried loudly on her birthday; I want to fill the refrigerator

May 9th, Guerre posted a handwritten letter on theplayerstribune, which talked about his previous story of leaving his family and pursuing his dreams.

Guerre wrote: When I was 9 years old, my father told me that our store was bankrupt and that this store was the only source of income for our family. I remember that time when my friends invited me to eat waffles, I couldn’t say I couldn’t afford it, I always said “I’m too tired” or “I can’t go”.

Thank God, we have always been able to deal with food and clothing problems, and I know that many children are even homeless. Deep down, I know we are lucky.

Not long after, my parents opened a new store and our situation improved, but when Fenerbahce wanted to sign me a few years later, I couldn't say I was just thinking about football, we needed money.

It took me three months to think about it because such a decision would change your life. I was 13 years old and my parents didn't want me to leave home at first. But my dream is to play for Fenerbahce, and I know it's a big decision, the risk is high, and no one guarantees that I can be a professional player.

Finally my father said, "If you want to drown, you have to drown in the sea." That means Istanbul. "If you are in good condition in six months, we will sell everything and go with you." On the day we left Ankara, my dad gathered all of our loved ones together, and there were about 30 people. It was my birthday. We prepared a big cake to celebrate, but my mother kept crying. I've never seen a birthday with so many tears, and I promised to make her proud of me and we'll be reunited in Istanbul soon.

But what impressed me the most was the conversation with my sister, who was eight years older than me. Just as I was about to get in the car and leave, she looked into my eyes and said, "Arda, you have to fill the refrigerator." Fill the refrigerator, which was his original words, "Arda, you have to let this happen." When I was 13 years old, it was difficult to feel that feeling. You played football before because it was fun, but suddenly, the future of the whole family was on your shoulders. I only remember that on the way to Istanbul, I took out my birthday gift from my father. It was a notebook with the cover saying "ARDA10". I opened it and wrote down my first dream: playing for the Fenerbahce adult team.

Guerre notebook and old photos