The 60-year-old premier, who was a semi-professional footballer in his youth, scored a silk-toed hat-trick during the match, which was organised to mark the opening of a new arena for Istanbul’s Basaksehir football team. Playing alongside an impromptu team consisting of TV presenters, a renowned Turkish basketball player and his own mayor of Istanbul, Mr Erdogan slotted home three goals before being substituted at half time. His team went on to win the contest 9-4. The contest was played on a reduced pitch – perhaps in deference to the advancing years of some of the participants. Nevertheless, the tub-thumping support from those at the stadium created a febrile atmosphere.