"I have a good relationship with Bruno Lage and we have already sorted everything out"

In the United States of America, where Sport Lisboa e Benfica's professional soccer team is competing in the 2025 Club World Cup, center-midfielder Kökcü gave an interview to DAZN.

We have to start with what happened yesterday [Friday, June 20] in the last game [Auckland City]. What can you tell us?

First, what happened yesterday isn't nice, for our club, for our fans and also for the team. It's not nice to see things like that. As a player, I'm someone who likes to win. I have a winning mentality and, yes, I want to do the best for the team. At the time, I thought I could help the team even more, but the coach made a decision and, as a player, I have to respect that. I've also said it many times in the Turkish media, not in Dutch or Portuguese... when I'm on the pitch, I sometimes lose control. So things like this happen, and I don't think I'm the only one who's been through this. A lot of players have been through it too. I think it's normal for football to have things, but it's not pretty, and, yes, it's not what we want to show as Benfica. So this was a situation from yesterday, and my reaction isn't because I think I'm superior to anything. No matter what club you represent, the club - especially Benfica - is always bigger than the player. I understand that. At that moment, yes, I lost control, but now, the next day, we've talked to each other, I've talked to the coach, we've talked about what I was thinking at that moment, what my feelings were at that moment, and what his thoughts and feelings were at that moment. We understand each other, we're fine. And we're ready for what's to come. We don't need to exaggerate the situation too much, because there are a lot of things that have been said about this situation, but for me, and I think also for the coaches, the most important thing is to look ahead and forget about it, because what has happened, has happened, and we can only look to the future. And for the future, we want great things for the club, and that's why we have to stick together and move forward.

I'm trying to understand what was going through his head at the time. You provided the assist for Pavlidis before being substituted. Did you feel you deserved to stay on the pitch at that moment?

As a player, I think that if I speak for all the players, everyone wants to play 90 minutes. Maybe I shouldn't show it, but I also have a Turkish temperament, so it was hard to contain myself. It happened, and we have to put it behind us, because it's not good to be in this situation either. We have to look forward and focus on the next game.

For all those who were watching in all countries, and who are Benfica supporters, what can you tell us about your relationship with coach Bruno Lage, so that we can understand what happened?

Yes, there are no problems in my relationship with the coach, because we've had a wonderful season together. He's got me playing, and he's got me playing in my position, which I like, and we have a good relationship. It only happened yesterday [Friday] and, as I said, I've already spoken to him. We've sorted everything out and we don't have any problems. So let's move on and focus on what's to come.

How do you feel on the pitch now? Are you comfortable with your role? Do you feel the pressure of having to prove yourself? This season, your statistics have been very good.

I feel good on the pitch. I have to say that the statistics are good, but we're not satisfied with not winning the league. It's not enough for a club like Benfica. If you play for Benfica, if you're from Benfica, you need to win everything, and you need to feel that too. I think I feel the same way, and now we have to focus on what's in front of us, as I said before. So now we have to play even better as a team and win trophies together.

Today [Saturday] was a day off. Do you think the team needed that before the important game with Bayern? Physically and mentally, of course.

It's been a long season. Physically and mentally it's quite difficult, but I think everyone wants to play and everyone likes to play. So there's no problem. Yes, today was a day off, everyone was a bit relaxed, some went out, others stayed in the hotel.

It's good, but we're also looking forward to the game with Bayern, because it's also an important game. We can go through to the next round, and going through to the next round is the most important thing for us. We're looking forward to the game.

The coach said you were a bit limited physically for the game against Boca Juniors. How do you feel at the moment?

Yes, in the final of the [Portuguese] Cup I had a knee problem, which caused me to suffer for two weeks, but I also played two games for the national team [Turkey]. I'm fit, that's not a problem, I can play. I'm ready.

The next game is crucial, and Benfica don't have the best record against Bayern Munich, but now we're in a different scenario. Which Benfica can we expect for this game?

Of course Bayern are very strong opponents, we know that, but we also know that we're a great club. So anything is possible. We're also at the end of the season, and maybe they're a bit more tired than they were during the season. Anything is possible in this tournament, and we see that in the different results in different games. So we're confident and we want to finish [the group stage] in the best possible way.

And what's the team's mood after the first games of the competition?

Everyone is doing very well. We also wanted to win the first game [against Boca Juniors], but yesterday [Friday] was a great win, with lots of goals, which is good for confidence. I think everyone is in good spirits and ready for the next game. No one is thinking about the vacations or anything like that, and that's also a positive thing, the fact that everyone is focused on this tournament. We want to go as far as possible.

And do you believe you can go far?

Yes, I've done a bit of research into the possible opponents and, yes, it's good. We have chances and we have to do it.

It's also a special tournament because you're saying goodbye to Di María. What has it been like working with him over the last two seasons?

Di María is a great legend. For me, it was a real honor to play with him because, for example, I remember watching El Clásico [Real Madrid-Barcelona] when I was a kid, and he was playing there. I already liked him then, and he still has [the quality]. I can also learn a lot from him. Sometimes we talk to each other about football stuff. He's top as a player and a person and, yes, as I said, I'm very happy to have played with him.

I've noticed that you talk to Di María a lot during set-pieces. What is your communication at that moment?

Yes, sometimes it's difficult [laughs]. To be honest, I think he knows English, but he feels more comfortable expressing himself in Spanish. Now I know a few words and I know Portuguese too. So we talk like this, but sometimes we think: "What are we going to do? Me? You?" It's good.

To finish off this interview, what message would you like to send to the Benfica fans and all the fans who are coming to the United States to watch the next games [of the Club World Cup]?

We're very happy and grateful that you're here. We're grateful. They support us everywhere we play, also in the Champions League and away games in the league. It's “crazy” to have so many people supporting Benfica as if it were a religion for many people in Portugal and abroad. It's really nice to play in front of these fans. I hope they continue to support and love me, and all of us. I hope they support us.