Photo: Barcelona star Arda Turan poses with his friend

Barcelona star Arda Turan is set to make his debut after a six month wait against Espanyol in the derby next month but is currently in Turkey on a short holiday before his big break.

Turan took time out to see his relatives and shared a picture on Instagram with an old pal.

Screen Shot 2015-12-24 at 19.29.39

 

Turan hails from Bayrampaşa a working class area of Istanbul and rose through the ranks of Galatasaray before establishing himself as one of the brightest prospects in Turkish football.

The bearded admitted that growing up in a rough neighbourhood taught him responsibilities and toughened him up at a young age.

“The street teaches you a lot, it teaches you to keep your word, to man up, the street has its own rules, its own laws and that is how I grew up,” he recently told the Milliyet.

The Turkish international winger joined Atleti on a record Süper Lig transfer fee from Galatasaray in 2011.

Turan became the first Turkish born player to win the La Liga as Atleti won their first league title since 1996 last season and was part of the same side that reached the Champions League final.

The bearded winger also became the first Turkish born player to win the La Liga as Atleti won their first league title since 1996 last season.