Influencers from Turkey

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  • Arda Güler

    Occupation: Football Player

    Arda Güler (born February 25, 2005) is a professional footballer from Türkiye who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for the Spanish club Real Madrid and the Turkey national team. Known for his exceptional technical skills, vision, and creativity, he is widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in world football.

    Career Highlights

    Fenerbahçe (2021–2023): Güler rose through the youth ranks at Fenerbahçe, becoming the club's youngest goalscorer in Süper Lig history at age 17. He helped the team win the Turkish Cup in the 2022-23 season.

    Real Madrid (2023–Present): He completed a high-profile transfer to Real Madrid in July 2023. In his debut season, he contributed to the team winning La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and the Supercopa de España.

    International: He represents the Turkey national team and made history at UEFA Euro 2024 by becoming the first teenager to score on his European Championship debut since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2004.

    Playing Style

    Güler is a left-footed playmaker known for his "silky" dribbling and ability to operate in tight spaces. While his primary position is as an attacking midfielder, he frequently plays as a right winger, often cutting inside to use his stronger left foot for shots or incisive passes.

    Current Status (as of January 2026)

    Club: Real Madrid (Jersey #15)

    Position: Attacking Midfield / Right Winger

    2025/26 Season: He has become a more integral part of the squad, appearing in over 25 matches across La Liga and the Champions League, recording multiple goals and assists.

    Instagram: 15.9M Followers / Subscribers Wikipedia: 0 Followers / Subscribers

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  • CZN Burak

    Occupation: Internet Personality

    Burak Özdemir, better known as CZN Burak, is a renowned Turkish chef and social media sensation born in Istanbul. He gained global fame through viral videos showcasing his skillful preparation of lavish Turkish dishes, often featuring his signature wide-eyed stare directly at the camera, cheerful personality, and innovative cooking techniques. The nickname "CZN" originated from a mispronunciation of "Cinzano," the name of his family's textile shop in Istanbul's Laleli neighborhood, where he grew up assisting his father. Transitioning from textiles to gastronomy, Burak opened his first restaurant in 2010 and has since expanded the CZN Burak brand internationally, with locations in Turkey, Egypt, and formerly Dubai—though he ended operations there in 2025 due to partnership disputes. With over 52 million Instagram followers, he specializes in gourmet Turkish cuisine, including hearty breakfasts, kebabs, and desserts, emphasizing fresh ingredients, creative presentations, and warm hospitality. His restaurants, like the flagship in Istanbul's Vadi Istanbul Mall, are celebrated for their delicious yet indulgent meals and inviting atmosphere.

    Instagram: 52.4M Followers / Subscribers YouTube: 18.1M Followers / Subscribers Facebook: 7.7M Followers / Subscribers X: 577K Followers / Subscribers

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  • Orkun Isitmak

    Occupation: Youtuber

    Orkun Işıtmak, whose full name is Orkuncan Işıtmak, is a Turkish YouTuber. He was born on January 8, 1996, in İzmir, Turkey. He is known for producing a variety of videos, including entertainment, vlogs, and gaming content, and he has a large subscriber count on YouTube.

    He started his YouTube channel in 2010 and began shooting gaming and entertainment videos in 2012, later diversifying his content. He was a student at Istanbul University, studying Italian Language and Literature, but took a break from his education to focus on YouTube.

    Işıtmak has also worked in the wider entertainment industry, including having a supporting role in the movie İyi Oyun and co-producing and hosting the show Exatlōn Challenge on Netflix. He has also produced series for the Turkish streaming platform Exxen. He is also involved in the gaming industry as an investor and co-founder of the competitive esports platform Gamer Arena.

    YouTube: 12.2M Followers / Subscribers Instagram: 3.3M Followers / Subscribers TikTok: 567.1K Followers / Subscribers Facebook: 308K Followers / Subscribers

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  • Salt Bae

    Occupation: Internet Personality

    Salt Bae, whose real name is Nusret Gökçe, is a Turkish chef, butcher, and restaurateur born on August 9, 1983. He rose to global fame in January 2017 through viral videos showcasing his theatrical meat-preparation technique, particularly his signature move of sprinkling salt over dishes by letting it cascade from his fingertips down his arm to the food, earning him the playful nickname "Salt Bae." This flamboyant style turned him into an internet sensation and sex symbol, inspiring memes, artwork, and tributes worldwide.

    Gökçe founded the Nusr-Et chain of upscale steakhouse restaurants, starting in Istanbul and expanding to cities like New York, London, and Dubai. His establishments are known for luxurious, high-priced offerings, including gold-leaf-encrusted steaks that can cost hundreds of dollars, blending fine dining with performance art. While praised for the spectacle—often described as "dinner theater"—critics have noted the food can be overpriced, oversalted, and underwhelming in quality.

    Beyond the kitchen, Gökçe has courted controversy, such as serving controversial figures like Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in 2018 and making unauthorized contact with the FIFA World Cup trophy in 2022, drawing widespread backlash. By 2025, reports have emerged of workplace issues at his restaurants, including allegations of a toxic culture and inappropriate demands toward staff. Despite these, he remains a polarizing figure in culinary pop culture, frequently seen jet-setting, smoking cigars, and rubbing shoulders with celebrities like Diddy.

    Instagram: 52.2M Followers / Subscribers Facebook: 7.1M Followers / Subscribers Wikipedia: 0 Followers / Subscribers