Can Bartu was born in Istanbul, on January 30, 1936.
His sporting career is interesting for the fact that he initially did not play football but basketball, a huge sport in Turkey.
He played for Fenerbahçe basketball and even played 6 games for the Turkish national team.
Then the Fenerbahçe football manager suggested that he try football, which Bartu took up with equal success. At first, he played both, once playing two games in the same day scoring two goals at football and ten points at basketball.
In the mid-50's he decided to concentrate on football. He played a total of five seasons for Fenerbahçe, with 114 league appearances and scoring 54 goals. "Fener" won two league titles, 1959 and 1961.
In the summer of 1961, he moved to Italy and joined Fiorentina, despite Lazio going very close to signing him too. The manager was Hungarian Nándor Hidegkuti and the Viola finished 3rd. They were also runners-up in the Cup Winners Cup, losing 1-4 on aggregate to Atlético Madrid. They then won the Mitropa Cup. Bartu played 14 league games with 2 goals (Bologna, Inter), 3 in the Cup Winners Cup with 1 goal (Újpesti Dózsa) and 6 in the Mitropa Cup with 2 goals (Vojvodina, Spartak Trnava). His teammates included future Lazio, Rino Marchesi (1966-71) and Orlando Rozzoni (1959-61, 1962-64 and 1965-66).
In 1962 he stayed in Serie A but joined Venezia. The manager was Carlo Alberto Quario and the "Leoni Alati" (Winged Lions) were relegated. Bartu played 29 league games with 8 goals and 2 in Coppa Italia with 2 goals.
In 1963-64 his performances earned him a return to Fiorentina. The manager was now Ferruccio Valcareggi but he was replaced after seven games by Giuseppe Chiappella. The Viola finished 4th but Bartu only played 10 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia. Two of his teammates were future Italian champion with Lazio, Pier Paolo Manservisi (1970-71, 1972-74) and another future Biancoceleste Sergio Castelletti (1966-68). Rino Marchesi was also still there.
Lazio were Bartu's next club as in 1964 he moved to the capital. The manager was Umberto Mannocci and Lazio finished 14th. Bartu played 14 league games with 2 goals (Messina, Genoa) and 1 game in Coppa Italia. Both derbies were 0-0 draws. One of his teammates was future legendary Lazio manager, Eugenio Fascetti (1986-88).
In 1965-66 Bartu stayed with Lazio as did manager Mannocci. The Biancocelesti finished 12th and Bartu played 24 league games with 2 goals (Bologna, Cagliari) and 3 games in Coppa Italia. The highlights of the season were winning a derby (the other was 0-0) and beating Milan 2-0 away.
The 1966-67 season would be his last in Rome and unfortunately ended in relegation. The managers were first Mannocci and then Maino Neri but the Biancocelesti finished 15th. Bartu only played 8 league games and 1 in the Mitropa Cup. One of the few highlights was beating Inter 1-0 at home.
With Lazio in Serie B, Bartu returned to Turkey and Fenerbahçe. He played three more seasons for the Sari Kanaryalar (Yellow Canaries), winning two more league titles. He played 36 league games with 8 goals.
In 1970, at 34, he retired.
He won 26 caps for Turkey, scoring 6 times. He is one of the few sportsmen to have played for his country in two different sports.
On retiring he became a respected sports journalist.
As a player Bartu was a midfielder often used as a winger. He was a skilful, quick and agile player, often setting up goals. He was often called the "Sivori of Istanbul". One weakness however was his inconsistency as he could be brilliant one week and poor the next. He played 101 games in Serie A with 14 goals while in his homeland he won four league titles and scored 62 league goals.
At Lazio he played 50 games with 4 goals. They were difficult years but especially in the second he played regularly. At Lazio along with Şükrü Gülesin (1951-52) he is THE Turkish connection. One memory the Romans have of him was his fondness for luxury products. He apparently came from a rich family of "Istanbullus" and claimed he played football just for the fun of it, preferring to spend his wages in boutiques.
Bartu died on April 11, 2019.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Mitropa Cup |
1964-65 | 15 (2) | 14 (2) | 1 | - |
1965-66 | 27 (2) | 24 (2) | 3 | - |
1966-67 | 9 | 8 | - | 1 |
Total | 51 (4) | 46 (4) | 4 | 1 |
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