<br><div> <p data-end="485" data-start="189">Orkun Kökçü, Besiktas midfielder and former Benfica player, gave an interview to the Turkish channel this Wednesday <em>TRT Sports</em>where he spoke openly about the period spent at Luz, assuming that, despite his good performance on the field, he faced several difficulties on a personal and emotional level in Portugal.</p> <p data-end="951" data-start="487">The Turkish international confirmed that last summer he had an argument with Bruno Lage, then coach of the Reds, during the Club World Cup, and admitted that he had been considering leaving for some time.</p> <p data-end="951" data-start="487">«I spent a very good period at Benfica, it was a good phase from a football point of view, but mentally I had some difficulties. I couldn't find the rhythm and I wanted to be transferred", he explained, revealing that he often spoke about the topic with his father.</p> <p data-end="1358" data-start="953">Kökçü highlighted that the decision to leave Benfica was directly linked to the search for happiness.</p> <p data-end="1358" data-start="953">«For me, the most important thing in life is to be happy. I lived in Portugal for two years, but it was the first time I was alone outside my country. Outside of football, it was a very lonely period", he confessed, guaranteeing, however, that these difficulties never affected his performance within the four lines.</p> <p data-end="1735" data-start="1360">Besiktas' proposal turned out to be decisive, even for emotional reasons.</p> <p data-end="1735" data-start="1360">«It was my childhood dream to play for Besiktas. I'm not a person obsessed with my career, in the end everyone is forgotten. I wanted to go to a place where I would be happy», he stated, ensuring that he found that in Istanbul.</p> <p data-end="1735" data-start="1360">«They say I came unhappy, but that's not true. I'm really happy here", added the Turkish midfielder.</p> <p data-end="1992" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="1737">Despite recognizing that sporting results can and should improve, the midfielder assured that he is calm about the future.</p> <p data-end="1992" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="1737">«With better results and performances, I can be even happier. We have to be patient, everything will be resolved in the end», he concluded.</p> <p data-end="1992" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="1737">Remember, Kökçü represented Benfica for two seasons, from 2023 to 2025. The Turkish international played 98 games, scoring 19 goals and providing 22 assists.</p> </div>