Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu put his nation’s needs ahead of his own during Turkey’s recent 0-0 draw with Wales in the Nations League, playing through pain to help his teammates out after they went down to 10 men.
Calhanoglu played through pain against Wales and Iceland
Calhanoglu had trained just once in the build up to Turkey’s game in Cardiff last Friday, and according to reports from Turkish outlet Sabah, he was playing through pain in his left leg when he came on against Wales.
It was also a similar situation for the 3-1 victory over Iceland on Monday night. Calhanoglu managed to squeeze one more training session in, and told his teammates that he would play for as long as he physically could.
He lined up as a starter and played another 45 minutes before going off at half-time with the scores level at 1-1. He had again been playing through the pain in his leg.
The 30-year-old is due back with Inter this week ahead of a busy week that will see them face Monza in Serie A on Sunday, Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday and then the Derby della Madonnina against rivals Milan the following weekend.
