Football
Football is deeply rooted in Turkish culture and is easily the most popular sport in the country. Fierce rivalries between Turkish clubs like Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş shape local identities, with derby days stirring massive crowds and nationwide buzz across the Turkish league.
More than just entertainment, football is tied to pride, community, and even political expression. A win feels like a national holiday, while losses hit like heartbreak.
Turkey has produced top talents who’ve made their mark in European leagues, from the best goalkeepers like Rüştü Reçber to midfield maestros like Emre Belözoğlu, who shone in the Premier League and European competitions.
Here’s our list of the best Turkish players of all time, based on their impact on both club and national level, including key moments in the 2002 World Cup, Champions League, and more.
15. Hamit Altıntop
Hamit Altıntop, which translates into English as ‘Golden Ball,’ was the kind of player every manager loved. A player of Turkish descent born in Germany, Altıntop had a football career that spanned top European clubs and key moments in international football.
Known as a versatile Turkish winger, he made a name for himself at Schalke before moving to Bayern Munich, where he won multiple Bundesliga titles and reached the Champions League final. After his stint at Bayern, he moved to Real Madrid and then to Galatasaray.
On the international level, Altıntop earned 82 caps and scored seven goals, playing a key role in their run to the UEFA EURO 2008 semi-finals – a marvellous world cup-level performance.
In 2010, he was awarded the FIFA Puskás Award. His versatility, technique, and leadership secured his legendary status. Whether lighting up the pitch or delivering clutch performances for Turkey, Hamit Altıntop was truly a Turkish delight.
14. Sergen Yalçın
Sergen Yalçın is often mentioned when talking about the most famous Turks ever to play the game. Born in Istanbul, he came through the youth system of his hometown club, Beşiktaş, and spent a big chunk of his career there. He was a deep-lying playmaker with unreal vision and one of the few Turkish players who could truly control a match on his own terms.
Throughout his career, he played for all of the big Turkish sides – Beşiktaş, Galatasaray, and Fenerbahçe. Though he had strong ties with Beşiktaş, even Galatasaray fans respected his talent.
He scored over 100 goals across all competitions and won multiple domestic trophies, such as the Süper Lig and Turkish Cup. Although his international career had its ups and downs, he earned 37 caps and scored five goals for the Turkish side.
13. Tanju Çolak
Tanju Çolak wasn’t just a good striker – he was a goal machine. A Turkish player born in Samsun, he started his career at Samsunspor and quickly built a reputation as a deadly finisher. His scoring touch led him to Galatasaray, where he truly exploded.
In just four seasons at Galatasaray, he scored 116 goals and even won the European Golden Boot in 1988, which still stands out as one of the biggest individual achievements in Turkish football history. Later, he moved to Fenerbahçe and continued scoring, ending his entire career with over 240 goals in 282 Süper Lig matches.
He also represented Turkey 31 times, scoring nine goals for the national team. While Turkey didn’t have many deep runs back then, and there were no major tournaments, as we can see now, Tanju still made his mark.
12. Emre Belözoğlu
Emre Belözoğlu was the kind of player you noticed straight away. A diminutive midfielder with sharp feet, a fiery temper, and serious technical ability. He broke through at Galatasaray and quickly became a fan’s favourite. By 20, he was already winning titles – including the UEFA Cup in 2000, the first major European trophy for a Turkish club.
He then moved to Europe’s elite leagues, playing for Inter Milan, Newcastle United, and Atlético Madrid. During his time in Europe, he won numerous domestic and European titles.
Emre’s vision, passing range, and set-piece mastery made him a key figure wherever he played. He racked up over 600 appearances across his club career. Internationally, he earned over 100 caps for the Turkish national team, playing a crucial role in Turkey’s historic runs at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2008.
Of course, there were moments when his poor anger management impacted his image, but in footballing terms, few Turkish players stayed at the top for as long as Emre did. He had a career spanning over two decades and left a mark in both domestic competitions and on the international stage.
11. Tuncay Şanlı
Regarded as one of Turkey’s most dynamic forwards, Tuncay Şanlı was praised for his energy, versatility, and never-say-die attitude.
Tuncay began his professional journey with Sakaryaspor before making a name for himself at Fenerbahçe, where he played in over 150 matches. His performance in both the Süper Lig and UEFA competitions showcased his playmaking abilities, earning him a move to the Premier League with Middlesbrough, where his relentless work ethic and technical ability made him a standout player.
Tuncay has a broad club career with stints for Stoke City, Wolfsburg, Bolton Wanderers, and in Qatar, proving his adaptability across different football cultures. His attacking flair and tireless running saw him rack up over 400 club appearances. With 22 goals in 80 caps, he remains one of Turkey’s most memorable and beloved footballers.
10. Nuri Şahin
Although incredibly talented, Nuri Sahin’s career was held back by constant injuries. Despite playing for some major football clubs, this stopped him from reaching his full potential. One of the German-born stars and a product of the Borussia Dortmund youth system, Nuri’s amazing play was a huge part of the club’s success, helping them win a Bundesliga title.
His accurate passing and smart tactical awareness quickly got him noticed, making him one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe. This led to a transfer to Real Madrid in 2011, although it was a short stay.
The following campaign at Liverpool in the Premier League wasn’t much better, as the German-born Turkish midfielder got very little playing time. He was plagued by constant injuries and unable to recapture his previous form.
His Anfield career never truly ignited, and after stints at Werder Bremen and Antalyaspor, he eventually called it a day at the end of 2021. Soon after retiring, he stepped into coaching and took charge of Antalyaspor, beginning a new chapter in football from the sidelines.
9. Yıldıray Baştürk
One of Turkey’s German-born talents, he played in the Bundesliga with VfL Bochum, where his performances earned him a move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2001. He quickly became a key figure there, playing a vital role in their remarkable run to the 2002 UEFA Champions League final, where they narrowly lost to Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane’s spectacular volley. That same season, they were also runners-up in the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal, an unfortunate feat that still stings.
After the Champions League final defeat, Baştürk joined Hertha BSC, where he continued to shine with his vision and ability to dictate the tempo in midfield. He made over 340 appearances and chipped in with 36 goals. His intelligence on the ball made him a central figure at club level and for the Turkish national team.
Though he never lifted a major trophy, Baştürk earned 49 caps and was instrumental in Turkey’s historic third-place finish at the World Cup in 2002. His playing days may be behind him, but Yıldıray Baştürk remains one of the most respected and technically gifted Turkish football players of his generation.
8. Hakan Çalhanoğlu
Hakan Çalhanoğlu is easily the best Turkish active player. A creative force in Inter Milan’s midfield, he combines vision, passing range, and set-piece ability to lead both club and country.
Çalhanoğlu made his name in European football during his time at Bayer Leverkusen, becoming a standout player in Bundesliga history. He then moved to A.C. Milan, where he played a key role over four seasons in one of Europe’s elite leagues.
In 2021, he joined Inter Milan and has since become a vital figure in their push for domestic and European success. In 2023, he came heartbreakingly close to winning the Champions League, but Inter fell to Manchester City in a final held in Istanbul.
Internationally, he’d already passed 80 caps and scored over 18 goals. His leadership, set-piece quality, and consistency have made him a reliable figure. His form in the Champions League and Italian Cup has solidified his place as Inter’s leader and a cornerstone of Turkish football on the European stage.
7. Bulent Korkmaz
Bülent Korkmaz wasn’t just a defender; he was Galatasaray’s beating heart. Known as “Büyük Kaptan” (The Great Captain), he embodied loyalty and grit, dedicating his entire playing career to the club.
His defining moment came in the UEFA Cup (now UEFA Europa League) final against Arsenal. Despite dislocating his shoulder during the match, Korkmaz didn’t leave the pitch, leading his team to a historic victory. This triumph marked the first time a Turkish club lifted a major European trophy, cementing his name into football history.
Korkmaz’s leadership also extended to the national team, where he earned over 100 caps and played a pivotal role in Turkey’s impressive 2002 FIFA World Cup run. His unwavering commitment and resilience made him a symbol of Turkish football’s golden era.
Though he never moved abroad, staying loyal to his domestic career, his influence was felt far beyond Istanbul. In Europe, he helped Galatasaray reach the Champions League group stages several times, often punching above their weight.
His entire professional career spanned over 17 years, all in Galatasaray colors; that is the definition of dedication. Korkmaz retired in 2005 after 430 club appearances and one unforgettable UEFA Cup triumph.
6. Nihat Kahveci
Nihat Kahveci played like he had a cheat code for late drama. Quick, clever, and clinical, he was the kind of forward who could turn a game on its head in seconds.
At Real Sociedad, he formed a lethal partnership with Darko Kovačević, nearly snatching La Liga from the giants. Later, he helped the team to their best-ever league finish at Villarreal, adding more goals to his resume.
But it was in Turkey’s red where Nihat became a national hero. His two late goals against the Czech Republic at Euro 2008 sealed one of the tournament’s greatest comebacks. It was one of the national side’s impressive performances, and Nihat was at the heart of it.
He might not have graced the Premier League, but his impact across Europe, especially in the UEFA Cup and La Liga, left fans with memories of a player who thrived when the pressure was at its peak.
5. Hakan Şükür
Nicknamed the ‘Bull of the Bosphorus’, Hakan Şükür was the face of Turkish football for over a decade. A towering presence up front, the lanky striker scored goals for fun – 51 of them for the national team. His biggest moment came at the 2002 World Cup when Şükür scored the fastest goal in World Cup history – just 11 seconds into the match against South Korea.
That tournament remains a defining chapter in Turkish football history, with Şükür playing a key role in the national team’s run. At the club level, he was a Galatasaray icon. His club career included multiple domestic league titles and a starring role in the team’s UEFA Cup win, the first major European trophy for a Turkish club.
Though his post-football life was marked by political controversy, his football legacy is untouchable. Şükür remains Turkey’s all-time top scorer and a symbol of Turkish football’s golden generation on the European stage.
4. Metin Oktay
Turkish striker, Metin Oktay, known as “Taçsız Kral” (The Uncrowned King), is still one of the most iconic names in Turkish football’s professional era. A pure goalscorer who won the Gol Kralı title six times, a record that turns heads to this day.
He spent just one mediocre season abroad at Palermo in Italy, showing his talent could travel, but it was in Istanbul where his legacy was truly written. One of the most prolific strikers scored over 530 goals for Galatasaray and was a constant thorn in the side of rivals, especially in the fiercely contested derbies against Fenerbahçe.
Beyond the pitch, he became a national icon, starring in films and capturing the hearts of fans across Turkey. Oktay wasn’t just a goal machine; he symbolized passion, loyalty, and grace in the early days of Turkish professional football.
3. Rüştü Reçber
Rüştü Reçber is a legendary Turkish shot-stopper, and many think he’s one of the country’s greatest goalkeepers. Rüştü, known for his trademark face paint and fearless shot-stopping, was a key figure in the rise of the Turkish team on the international stage.
With 120 caps for the national team and over 500 club appearances, Rüştü holds the record for the most appearances by a Turkish goalkeeper. His standout moment came at the 2002 World Cup, where he helped Turkey reach a historic third place, earning a spot in the tournament’s All-Star Team alongside Ronaldo and Oliver Kahn.
At the club level, the Turkish keeper shone for Fenerbahçe and later Beşiktaş, becoming a dominant presence in Turkish football. His performances caught the eye of top European leagues, leading to a move to La Liga and Rüştü becoming the first Turk to join the Catalan giants.
While he didn’t claim a La Liga title, and his time in Spain lasted just one season, the transfer underlined how Turkish players were starting to break into Europe’s elite. Across European competitions and countless caps for his country, Rüştü’s leadership, agility, and consistency made him a pure legend.
2. Arda Turan
He wasn’t the fastest, the strongest, or the most clinical, but Arda Turan had something you couldn’t teach – pure footballing instinct. Whether gliding past defenders or threading inch-perfect passes, the Turkish midfielder played like someone who grew up with a ball glued to his feet.
Born and raised in Istanbul, Arda was a Galatasaray youth product who rose through Turkey’s big club like a local hero. After several successful years in the Süper Lig, he moved to Atlético Madrid, and it suited him perfectly.
Under Diego Simeone, he became a key part of the team that upset the footballing giants of Spain. In 2014, Atlético won La Liga and reached the Champions League final. Then came Barcelona, and although his time at the Camp Nou never fully took off, he still added silverware to his shelf.
For the Turkish side, he earned 100 caps and scored 17 goals. He played in three major tournaments and was captain during some of Turkey’s more turbulent campaigns. When Turkey finished their group stage runs early, it was often Arda who carried the weight.
1. Tugay Kerimoğlu
Tugay Kerimoğlu wasn’t flashy, but he made the game look easy. Smooth on the ball, sharp in the tackle, and always one step ahead. He played like someone who saw things before they happened.
He started out at Galatasaray, bossing the midfield and winning whatever was there to win in Turkey. Later on, he had a solid stint at Rangers for a season and a half, but it was in the Premier League when Tugay played with Blackburn Rovers, where he really made his mark. Over eight years at the club, he became a fan favorite, quietly controlling games.
Tugay was also a key part of Turkey’s golden generation. Across 94 caps, he scored just a few goals, but his influence was never measured that way. He brought calm, control, and that dead-ball specialist touch when needed. His performances helped Turkey finish third at the 2002 World Cup – a bronze medal moment still one of the national side’s most impressive performances in the modern era.
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