Within a matter of weeks, "Lille" goalkeeper Berke Özer went from one of autumn’s biggest revelations to the hottest talking point back home. After a brilliant display in European competition, he expected to cement himself as the national team’s No. 1, but the coach’s choice and strained communication triggered a conflict. The result — a lightning-quick exit from the national-team camp and a forceful statement from the Turkish Football Federation.
From the Fight for a Starting Spot — to a Flight Back to France
Approaching the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria, Özer had a knock but was ready to play — the desire to confirm his club form for the national team prevailed. However, Vincenzo Montella chose Uğurcan Çakır, and Berke was left out of the starting lineup. Sources said he wouldn’t have featured in the next game either — not a matter of health, but of priorities. For the 25-year-old goalkeeper, that was the breaking point: he packed his bags and returned to France.
The Federation's Firm Stance
The Turkish Football Federation responded immediately and in unequivocal terms. Its official statement called the goalkeeper’s behavior unacceptable, reminding everyone that the national team is more than the sum of its parts and that discipline, respect, and team spirit outweigh individual ambitions. The message was clear: even stellar club form doesn’t grant the right to place oneself above team rules.
Özer's Response: Injury, Disappointment, and Distrust of the Decisions
Berke publicly confirmed that he left on his own, citing post-injury discomfort and disappointment with the decisions made. Upon seeing the lineup, he concluded that those selecting the starters weren’t taking current merit into account. He stressed that he didn’t want to disrupt the dressing-room atmosphere, raised his position with the staff in advance, and was allowed to leave the camp to get himself right before Lille’s matches. The logic is simple: if you’re not playing for the national team — prepare for your club.
Montella's Composure and a Like-for-Like Replacement
The staff reacted calmly and swiftly: Muhammed Şengezer from "Başakşehir" was called up in Özer’s place. Competition for the gloves in Turkey is intense as it is, so emotional situations are quickly covered by personnel moves. For Montella, the priorities are process control and a predictable hierarchy, not public disputes.
European Showcase: Three Penalties Saved Against Roma and a Sharp Rise in Status
The contrast is especially stark against the backdrop of Özer’s Lille upswing. In the summer, the French club paid around €4.5 million for the 25-year-old from Eyüpspor. Before that came two seasons in Belgium’s second tier, then Fenerbahçe — and now the top flight. Lille were seeking a replacement for Lucas Chevalier, who moved to PSG, and Özer went straight into the starting XI. The high point — a Europa League night: three penalties saved in succession against Roma and a win carved out by the goalkeeper. After the match he admitted he had promised his loved ones he’d keep a clean sheet and hadn’t imagined how hard it would be. His bid for a leadership role was delivered as loudly as it gets.
Why Club Form Didn't Translate into Montella's No. 1
A national team isn’t a copy-and-paste of a club side. Beyond saves in the here and now, what matter are stability over time, experience, chemistry with the back line, and distribution that fits the coach’s model. Montella’s decision could have stemmed from tactical nuances and established relationships between the goalkeeper and defense in competitive matches. Turkey also has a rich goalkeeping school, so competition for the gloves is always fierce. For someone in hot form it hurts; for the coach, it’s part of the job.
What Next: Paths to Reconciliation and a Lesson for All Sides
Özer has already shown he can carry his club on the big stage — that capital doesn’t vanish. The national-team door isn’t closed: the federation’s disciplinary stance doesn’t cancel sporting selection, and a strong run at Lille will put Berke back in the conversation. He needs to stabilize his fitness and keep his emotional balance; the staff need to get communication right so the ambitions of top keepers don’t turn into media blow-ups midway through a qualifying cycle. The Özer story is a reminder: elite goalkeeping form and national-team hierarchy sometimes take different roads — and only cool heads on both sides bring those roads back together.
