Turkey's Şahin proud of Under-17 pedigree

Now with Liverpool FC, Turkish international Nuri Şahin can look back with pride with his starring role in the 2005 UEFA European Under-17 Championship

The Borussia Dortmund product was key to Turkey's success of seven years ago when he joined the likes of Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fàbregas by being named UEFA.com's stand-out performer for that year as Turkey triumphed in Italy.

"I am very proud to be named alongside some great players," said Şahin. "I won it in 2005, Cesc Fàbregas won it a year before me, and Wayne Rooney three years before me. Those are great names, and I would love to reach that level too. That was the first proof that I could reach that level. I'm filled with pride when my name is listed alongside those players.

"That tournament really put me on the spot. I gained a lot of confidence. Winning the title was something very special. In every single minute of those games I gained so much confidence, it helped with my mentality, and that tournament really improved me." View the full video above.