RHCP's 'Flea' tweets crush on Turkish athlete

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

This combo picture shows Australian-born American musician, Flea (L) and Turkish volleyball player Neslihan Darnel. EPA, REUTERS photos

The bassist of the popular band the Red Hot Chili Peppers has declared via Twitter that he has a “celebrity crush” on the star of the Turkish women’s volleyball team, Neslihan Darnel.

Michael Peter Balzary, better known by his stage name, “Flea,” posted a tweet yesterday announcing his crush on the player during an Olympic volleyball game between Turkey and the United States. 

“I think I have a celebrity crush on Neslihan Darnel,” Flea tweeted on his account. The message was quickly picked up and re-tweeted by Flea's Turkish fans, spreading throughout the microblogging website in a matter of minutes. 

One user replied to Flea's message, saying, "get in line, kanka,” kanka meaning "buddy" in Turkish. Flea naturally missed the meaning and asked his followers what a kanka was. 
 
Flea later had to say a celebrity crush was not a serious thing and expressed frustration after a Twitter user "warned" him to stay away from the volleyball star, if not in so many words. 
 
Darnel is married and has a daughter. 
 
The Red Hot Chili Peppers will play a concert in Istanbul on Sept. 8.