İsmail Kartal’s Family: Wife, Children, Parents and Siblings

İsmail Kartal is a Turkish football manager and former international defender whose life has been closely connected to Fenerbahçe. Away from football, Kartal is married to Sema Kartal and has two children, Emre and Sena. His son followed him into professional football and later became a member of his coaching staff.

Kartal was raised in a modest fishing family in Anadolu Kavağı, Istanbul. His parents were Muhittin and Melahat Kartal, while public accounts also mention an older brother whose identity has remained private.

Who Is İsmail Kartal’s Wife?

İsmail Kartal’s wife is Sema Kartal. The couple has been married for many years and has two children together: a son named Emre and a daughter named Sena.

Sema generally maintains a private life, but she has occasionally appeared at Fenerbahçe matches, club events and elections alongside her husband and son. She was seen supporting the team during Kartal’s different periods as its head coach.

Details about Sema’s education, occupation and family background have not been extensively documented. Turkish publications usually describe her as a supportive presence throughout her husband’s long playing and managerial career.

Does İsmail Kartal Have a Girlfriend?

As of now, İsmail Kartal does not have a publicly known girlfriend because he is married to Sema Kartal. There are no reliable reports indicating that the couple has separated.

Kartal rarely discusses his marriage in interviews, preferring to concentrate on football. His wife has similarly avoided becoming a regular media personality.

How Many Children Does İsmail Kartal Have?

İsmail and Sema Kartal have two children: one son and one daughter. Their son is named Emre Kartal, while their daughter is Sena Kartal.

Emre became involved in professional football and coaching. Sena has maintained a more private lifestyle, although she has occasionally appeared in family photographs with her father and brother.

Who Is Emre Kartal?

Emre Kartal is İsmail Kartal’s son. He was born on January 5, 2003, in Kadıköy, Istanbul, according to his Turkish Football Federation profile.

Emre spent approximately ten years in Fenerbahçe’s academy and captained some of its youth teams. He played primarily as a defender before continuing his career with clubs including Konyaspor’s development structure and Isparta 32 Spor.

He also studied physical education and sports at Marmara University. After ending his playing career, Emre moved into coaching, analysis and player development.

Emre later joined his father’s technical staff at Fenerbahçe. During a June 2026 press meeting, İsmail Kartal explained that his son had academy experience, professional playing experience, a sports education and foreign-language skills.

His appointment attracted public discussion because of his relationship with the head coach. İsmail defended the decision by emphasizing Emre’s education, football background and qualifications.

Who Is Sena Kartal?

Sena Kartal is İsmail and Sema Kartal’s daughter. She has occasionally appeared with her father and brother following Fenerbahçe matches, but she is not known to work professionally in football.

Unlike Emre, Sena has not developed a prominent public career. Information about her age, education and occupation has not been reliably disclosed, indicating that she prefers to remain outside the media spotlight.

Who Were İsmail Kartal’s Parents?

İsmail Kartal’s parents were Muhittin Kartal and Melahat Kartal. They raised their family in Anadolu Kavağı, a fishing community on the Asian side of Istanbul.

The family lived modestly, and İsmail helped his father with fishing responsibilities during childhood. Although his father initially preferred a more dependable profession for him, Kartal remained committed to becoming a footballer.

His parents’ family roots were associated with Rize and Turkey’s Black Sea region. Kartal has personally rejected assumptions that his famous “Arap İsmail” nickname reflected Arab ancestry, explaining that it originated from his appearance rather than his family background.

Who Was İsmail Kartal’s Father?

İsmail Kartal’s father was Muhittin Kartal, a fisherman popularly known in Anadolu Kavağı by the nickname “Karadayı.” Fishing was the family’s principal source of income during İsmail’s childhood.

Kartal helped his father pull ropes, handle fishing nets and perform other tasks connected to the family trade. Those responsibilities taught him discipline and the importance of working for the household.

Muhittin initially opposed his son’s ambition to pursue football because he was concerned about whether the sport could provide a secure living. İsmail nevertheless continued playing and entered Sarıyer’s youth system before beginning his professional career.

Muhittin Kartal died in 2006. İsmail has continued to speak proudly about his fishing-family background and his upbringing in Anadolu Kavağı.

Who Was İsmail Kartal’s Mother?

İsmail Kartal’s mother was Melahat Kartal. She lived largely outside the public eye while her son developed from a young footballer into a Fenerbahçe player and coach.

Fenerbahçe confirmed that Melahat died in May 2014. At the time, İsmail was serving as an assistant coach at the club. Representatives from Fenerbahçe and the wider football community attended her funeral and offered condolences to the family.

There is little dependable information about Melahat’s occupation or personal history. She is primarily remembered publicly as part of the modest household in which İsmail was raised.

Does İsmail Kartal Have Siblings?

İsmail Kartal has spoken about having an older brother. However, his brother’s name and personal life have not been reliably documented.

Childhood accounts explain that İsmail carried much of the responsibility for helping his father with fishing because his older brother was unable to undertake the same physical work. Further private information about his brother is unnecessary and has not been disclosed by the family.

No reliable source provides a complete list of additional brothers or sisters. It is therefore safest to say that Kartal has at least one publicly mentioned older brother.

İsmail Kartal’s Childhood and Family Background

İsmail Kartal was born on June 15, 1961, and grew up in Anadolu Kavağı. His family had roots in Rize, while his father earned a living from the waters surrounding Istanbul.

Kartal divided his childhood between helping his family and playing football. His father wanted him to concentrate on work, but his talent eventually earned him an opportunity with Sarıyer.

After beginning his senior career, Kartal played for Gaziantepspor before joining Fenerbahçe in 1983. He remained with the Istanbul club for a decade and became part of its championship-winning teams.

He later played for Denizlispor and Adanaspor before becoming a coach. His managerial career included Sivasspor, Ankaragücü, Konyaspor, Çaykur Rizespor, Persepolis and several spells with Fenerbahçe.

Why Is İsmail Kartal Called “Arap İsmail”?

İsmail Kartal acquired the nickname “Arap İsmail” during his early football years. However, he has explained that the nickname does not indicate Arab ancestry.

Kartal stated that neither he nor his family is Arab. His paternal family roots are associated with Rize, and the nickname originated from how people described his appearance during childhood.

Frequently Asked Questions About İsmail Kartal’s Family

Who is İsmail Kartal’s wife?

İsmail Kartal’s wife is Sema Kartal. She has supported him throughout his playing and managerial career while maintaining a private profile.

Is İsmail Kartal married?

Yes. İsmail Kartal is married to Sema Kartal.

How many children does İsmail Kartal have?

He has two children: a son named Emre and a daughter named Sena.

Who is İsmail Kartal’s son?

His son is Emre Kartal, a former footballer who subsequently moved into coaching and joined his father’s technical staff.

Who is İsmail Kartal’s daughter?

His daughter is Sena Kartal. She maintains a private life and is not publicly known to work in professional football.

Who were İsmail Kartal’s parents?

His parents were Muhittin Kartal and Melahat Kartal.

What did İsmail Kartal’s father do?

Muhittin Kartal was a fisherman in Anadolu Kavağı and was locally known by the nickname “Karadayı.”

Does İsmail Kartal have siblings?

Kartal has spoken about an older brother, but his brother’s name and private background have not been publicly documented.

Where is İsmail Kartal’s family from?

Kartal was raised in Anadolu Kavağı, Istanbul, while his paternal family roots are associated with Rize in Turkey’s Black Sea region.