Can Bartu: Turkish Dual-Sport Athlete and Football Pioneer

Overview of Can Bartu (1936–2019), a Turkish basketball and football player who competed domestically and in Italy, later became a sports journalist and remains a notable figure in Turkish sport.

Overview

Can Bartu (31 January 1936 – 11 April 2019) was a Turkish athlete best known for succeeding in two sports at a high level: basketball and association football. Born in Istanbul, he first gained recognition as a basketball player and later built a long football career that included spells in Turkey and Italy. After retiring from play he worked in the media, maintaining a prominent public profile in Turkey for decades.

Early life and basketball career

Bartu was born in Istanbul and began his sporting life in the post‑war period when multi‑sport participation was more common. He played basketball for the Istanbul club Fenerbahçe and appeared several times for the Turkish national basketball team. Contemporary accounts and later biographies note his athleticism and ball skills, attributes that helped his transition from basketball to professional football.

Football career: clubs and positions

As a footballer Bartu operated primarily in midfield, combining creative playmaking with wing play: he functioned as an attacking midfielder and as a left winger. He began and finished his club football career with Fenerbahçe, the same Istanbul club he had represented in basketball. In the 1960s he moved to Italy, one of the first Turkish players of his generation to compete abroad. His Italian career included time with Fiorentina (initially in 1961), a spell at Venezia, a return period at Fiorentina, and later a season at Lazio. He returned to Fenerbahçe in 1967 and retired from playing in 1970.

International career and style of play

Bartu represented his country as a footballer as well, earning 26 caps for the Turkey national team and scoring six goals. Observers described him as technically gifted, comfortable on the ball and capable of creating chances from midfield and wide positions. His background in midfield roles in football and earlier experience in court sports helped him read the game and link defense to attack.

Later life and legacy

After retiring from competition Bartu remained involved in sport as a public figure and worked as a sports journalist, contributing commentary and columns that reflected his long experience at club and national level. He is remembered in Turkey for his rare achievement of representing his country in two sports and for helping pave the way for Turkish players who sought opportunities abroad in Italy and other leagues. Bartu passed away on 11 April 2019 at the age of 83.

Notable facts and context

He was born and raised in Istanbul, where he became associated with the major club Fenerbahçe in both basketball and football.
Bartu's sporting trajectory illustrates a mid‑20th century pattern in which talented athletes sometimes switched codes; his move from national basketball appearances to a professional football career is a prominent example.
During his club career he competed against and alongside many international players in Serie A and other Italian competitions, helping increase Turkish visibility in European football circuits (football).
For a concise biography or further reading consult dedicated sports archives and retrospectives on Turkish football history and dual‑sport athletes (basketball sources, journalism archives).

As an individual who moved between sports, countries and later into media, Can Bartu remains a significant figure in the sporting history of Turkey: a symbol of versatility, early international mobility for Turkish players, and the close ties between club identity and civic life in Istanbul.