Bornova Futbolcu Heykeli

Bornova Football Player Monument is a bronze outdoor sculpture created by sculptors Neda İsmail Ata and Can Aktaş, standing at the intersection of streets 159 and 162. It is positioned opposite the Military House and Yavuz Selim Primary School in the Bornova district.

The first football match in Turkey was played at this location in 1877, establishing Bornova as a significant site in Turkish sports history. The monument documents this historic moment and marks the beginning of the sport in the country.

The monument reflects the deep connection between football and local identity, serving as a meeting place where sports fans and residents gather. The inscriptions tell stories that invite visitors to think about the role of the sport in shaping the community.

The sculpture is located at a main intersection and is easily accessible by local transportation from different parts of the city. Its central position makes it a convenient stop for visitors walking through the neighborhood.

The monument was unveiled on October 12, 2017, and combines artistic expression with historical documentation through detailed inscriptions. These inscriptions preserve the story of that first match and transform the work into something more than a simple statue.