N’Golo Kante expressed immense satisfaction after marking his Fenerbahce debut with victory, describing the occasion as a memorable introduction to Turkish football following his departure from Saudi Arabia.
The former Chelsea midfielder, who spent two and a half seasons with Al-Ittihad, was handed his first appearance for the Istanbul giants on Monday night and wasted little time settling into his new environment.
Deployed in midfield alongside fellow French international Mattéo Guendouzi, Kante delivered a composed and energetic display, helping Fenerbahce secure a convincing 3-1 triumph over Gençlerbirliği.
The 2018 World Cup winner completed 64 minutes before being substituted, but his influence during that period underlined why the club moved swiftly to secure his signature.
Kante’s trademark industry, positional intelligence, and ability to recover possession added balance to Fenerbahce’s midfield structure as they controlled key phases of the contest.
Beyond his performance, the 34-year-old was visibly moved by the reception he received from supporters, highlighting the strong connection he is already building with the fan base.
“It was a great experience,” said Kante, happy to stop and chat with reporters in the mixed zone afterwards.
The midfielder emphasised the importance of the atmosphere generated inside the stadium, acknowledging the role the supporters played in inspiring the team throughout the encounter.
“The fans encouraged us from the beginning to the end of the match. We’re very happy to share this victory with them.”
