Beşiktaş’s Rising Star İlhan Fakılı: From France to the National Team
Ilhan Fakılı has quickly become one of the most talked-about young players at Beşiktaş. The 20-year-old midfielder attracted significant attention after scoring against Marseille and delivering an impressive overall performance. His rapid development has also earned him a place in Türkiye’s senior national team squad.
Fakılı’s journey to the black-and-white club began in France, where he developed his footballing identity through several challenging stages. His story includes early criticism, a change of club, a serious injury and a determined return to competitive football.
A difficult beginning in French football
Ilhan Fakılı started playing football in the academy of Saint-Étienne, a club he had followed since childhood. Although coaches recognized his technical ability and composure with the ball, they also believed he lacked physical strength. The assessment that he was “technically comfortable but physically weak” eventually led to his departure from the academy.
The young player joined fourth-tier side Andrézieux-Bouthéon, where he began focusing on the weaknesses identified by his coaches. Rather than allowing the setback to halt his progress, Fakılı used the period to improve his physical condition and become more complete as a footballer.
His work was rewarded in 2024 when he signed for Clermont. Initially brought in for Clermont’s third-tier team, he soon made an impression with his performances. His progress was so noticeable that he was gradually included in the first-team squad for selected matches.
Injury interrupted his development
Fakılı suffered a major setback before the 2024-25 season. During a friendly match against his former club Saint-Étienne, he sustained an injury that kept him out for an extended period.
The rehabilitation process was demanding, but the young footballer eventually returned to the pitch. After regaining his fitness, he began to play regularly in Ligue 2 last season. His goals and assists helped him attract attention and confirmed that he had successfully overcome one of the most difficult periods of his early career.
His performances also brought interest from the French youth national teams. However, Fakılı reportedly turned down an approach from France before choosing to represent Türkiye. In 2026, he wore the Türkiye Under-21 shirt during a friendly against Kosovo, marking another important step in his international career.
Marseille match changed the spotlight
Fakılı made a particularly strong impression in Beşiktaş’s match against Marseille. He scored the opening goal that unlocked the game for his team, while another effort struck the post. His influence was not limited to finishing: he contributed to Beşiktaş’s attacking movement, used the ball confidently and showed maturity beyond his age.
The performance also had a symbolic dimension. French football coverage reportedly described the match as a form of “revenge” for the player after his departure from Saint-Étienne, his subsequent injury and the difficulties he faced during his development.
For Fakılı, the game represented more than one successful night. It demonstrated how far he had progressed since being considered physically underdeveloped in his early years and showed that he could perform on a major stage.
Beşiktaş won the transfer race
Fakılı’s progress had already attracted interest from leading Turkish clubs. Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe reportedly considered making a move for him during the previous mid-season transfer window.
Beşiktaş ultimately secured the transfer after Sporting Director Zeki Önder Özen pushed strongly for the player’s arrival. The club viewed Fakılı as an investment in both the present and the future. His early performances suggest that the decision is already producing positive results.
The transfer also reflects Beşiktaş’s broader strategy of identifying young players with room for improvement. Fakılı arrived with technical quality and attacking potential, while his experience in France gave him a different football education from many players of the same age in Türkiye.
Montella followed him closely
Türkiye national team coach Vincenzo Montella watched the Beşiktaş-Marseille match at Tüpraş Stadium. Reports indicated that his main reason for attending was to observe Fakılı in person.
The Italian coach was said to have been impressed by the player’s comfort in possession and his understanding of the game. Among the notes attributed to Montella were observations that Fakılı was highly composed with the ball and possessed an advanced sense of positioning.
Fakılı was subsequently called up to the senior national team. He is expected to be considered for the squad’s upcoming match against France, which would provide an especially meaningful occasion given his footballing background in the country.
What makes Fakılı stand out?
Fakılı’s biggest strengths appear to be his technical control, awareness between the lines and ability to make intelligent movements without the ball. He is also comfortable receiving possession under pressure, a quality that allows him to participate in both buildup play and attacking transitions.
His route through French football has helped him develop tactical discipline. Instead of relying solely on natural talent, he has had to adapt to different levels of competition and respond to criticism. That process appears to have strengthened his mentality as well as his physical game.
At Beşiktaş, he is gaining experience in a more demanding environment. The expectations are higher, the pace is faster and every performance is closely watched. Managing this attention will be one of the next challenges in his development.
A promising future at Beşiktaş
The club’s decision to bring Fakılı to Istanbul has created an opportunity for both sides. Beşiktaş has gained a young player capable of making an immediate impact, while Fakılı has joined a team where his performances can be seen by national-team staff and a wider international audience.
However, the Marseille match should be viewed as the beginning rather than the conclusion of his rise. Consistency, injury prevention and continued physical development will be crucial if he is to establish himself as a long-term starter.
Beşiktaş’s strong home record has also helped create a positive environment. The team won all seven of its official matches at home this season, scoring 19 goals in the process. In such a productive setting, Fakılı has the chance to continue developing with confidence.
From an academy player judged to be physically fragile to a Ligue 2 performer, a Türkiye Under-21 international and now a senior national-team candidate, Fakılı’s career has advanced rapidly. His story shows how setbacks can become part of a player’s development when they are met with patience and determination.