The 5 Greatest Football Players From Turkey

The 21st century has been the golden age of Turkish football, but who are Turkey’s greatest players? The Sporting Blog ranks the top 5!

Football is a true passion of the Turkish people. Having only qualified for the FIFA World Cup twice and UEFA European Championships once prior to the current century, the Turks went on to reach the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup, 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2008 European Championship, as well as the quarter-finals of Euro 2000.

They failed to qualify for Qatar 2022, but they will be back on the international stage for the 2026 World Cup.

The Crescent-Stars have three bronze medals to show for their efforts in the 21st century. The national team brought pride to the nation even before their success, but major triumphs shifted the spotlight onto some of the country’s most talented players. 

Continuing our series on the greatest players to have represented their countries, here are 5 of the very best to have played for Turkey.

1. Hakan Sükür

Position: Striker

Caps: 112

Goals: 51

Turkey’s top goalscorer, with 20 more goals than second-ranked Burak Yilmaz, “Kral”was awarded his first senior national team cap in 1992 at 20 years old. Sükür slotted into international football seamlessly, scoring six goals in his first 11 caps for the Crescent-Stars.

Given Turkey’s number nine early in his international career, the prolific striker started every game at Euro ’96 as the Turks crashed out in the group stages. He was heavily involved in his nation’s run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2000, scoring a pivotal brace in a 2-0 win vs Belgium during the final round of group stage games. This secured qualification as Turkey snatched Belgium’s spot in the group. 

Sükür continued to be instrumental in the new century as he captained his side in every game at the 2002 World Cup. He scored the fastest goal in World Cup history (11 seconds) to help secure Turkey’s first-ever bronze medal in a 3-2 third-placed playoff win vs South Korea. Captaining Turkey in 30 of his 112 caps, Sükür’s last cap came in 2007 at the age of 36 years old.

Renowned for his instinctive movement, elite heading ability and composure from the penalty spot, Sükür’s 15-year international career illustrates great professionalism. Nicknamed the Bull of the Bosphorus, Sükür is also the all-time top scorer in the Turkish Football League, the Super Lig, with 249 goals.

Turkey’s greatest player has fallen on hard times for numerous reasons. Hakan Suker is now driving an Uber in the US, exiled from his home country.

2. Rüstü Reçber

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 120

Turkey’s most capped player with a distinguished international career spanning 18 years, Rüstü Reçber’s first cap for his country came in 1994 at the age of 21.

He soon became the number one ‘keeper for Turkey, starting every game at both Euro 1996 and 2000 whilst keeping two clean sheets in the latter as the Turks made it to the quarter-finals. 

Reçber continued into the 21st century as one of the first names on Turkey’s team sheet. He was particularly stellar in his team’s run to the bronze medal in the ’02 World Cup. Having played every game in South Korea and Japan, and keeping three clean sheets in the process, he was named in the team of the tournament. 

Reçber was one of the few senior players in the squad for the ’03 Confederations Cup. His experience was vital as he started three out of five games during Turkey’s run to another bronze medal at a major tournament.

Initially in the Euro 2008 squad as the second-choice goalkeeper, Reçber stepped in for suspended Volkan Demirel in the quarter-final tie vs Croatia. In a cagey 1-1 game, the veteran ‘keeper’s mistake led to Croatia’s goal in extra time, before he made amends to assist the equalising goal in the 122nd minute. 

The then-35-year-old then saved a decisive penalty in the shootout to take his country to the ’08 Euro semi-final. Reçber subsequently captained Turkey in the semi-final 3-2 loss to Germany.

His last cap came in 2012 at 39 years old. Having been told on his U-21 debut by the legendary manager, Fatih Terim, that he would be Turkey’s greatest ever goalkeeper, Reçber actually met expectations. A brave shot-stopper with good positioning and a knack for saving penalties, Reçber’s charisma often brought tranquillity to his defence. A true footballing icon.

3. Bülent Korkmaz

Position: Centre-back

Caps: 102

One of only six players to amass more than 100 caps for the Turkish national team, Bülent Korkmaz was actually the first to break the 100-cap mark. Known as “Büyük Kaptain” (Great Captain), Bülent Korkmaz was a resolute and dependable defender in his 15 years playing for Turkey. 

His first call-up came in 1990 after three years in the Galatasaray first team, at 21 years old. Korkmaz was then in the Euro ’96 squad, but played no minutes for his national side. A dislocated shoulder in Gala’s UEFA Cup final victory ensured he missed Euro 2000, but Korkmaz’s elite mentality made certain he would not miss the 2002 World Cup.

The defender started six out of seven games in South Korea and Japan, marshalling a three-man backline that kept three clean sheets as the Turks achieved their first bronze medal. Korkmaz then played a vital part in Turkey’s second bronze medal, starting three from five in their 2003 Confederations Cup run to the semi-finals.

His last cap came in 2005 at the age of 36. Nicknamed “Cengaver” (Warrior) by fans, Korkmaz was a one-club man with an 18-year playing career for the Turkish giants Galatasaray. He is in the top 10 for most appearances in the Turkish league, ranking ninth (428 appearances).

4. Tugay Kerimoglu

Position: Central Midfielder

Caps: 94

Goals: 2

Known for his vision and range of passing as a ball-playing midfielder, Tugay broke into the Galatasaray first team at the age of 16 in 1987. Three years later, he received his first call-up to the Turkey senior national team.

Entering 1996, Tugay had already amassed 34 caps for his country. As a result of his ability and experience, he was called up to the squad for Euro ’96, starting two games as Turkey crashed out in the group stage.

The Turkish metronome remained involved with the national team in the 21st century, albeit not in a starting role. Tugay was involved in the Euro 2000 squad, playing three of four games at the tournament as the Turks made it to the quarter-finals, but the midfielder only started two out of three.

At this point, the playmaker was just shy of his 30th birthday. Tugay went through a renaissance before the World Cup in 2002, moving to Premier League club Blackburn Rovers and thus playing at a higher level than his previous club, Scotland’s Glasgow Rangers.

The deep-lying midfielder played over 60 Premier League games in two consecutive seasons for Blackburn, leading to a call-up to the 2002 World Cup, where Tungay turned back the clock and started all seven of Turkey’s games as they won Bronze in South Korea and Japan.

His last cap came in 2007 at 36 years old. Tugay’s quality was such that even in his 30s, he was still regarded as one of the finest ballplayers in Europe by managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson.

5. Tuncay Sanli

Position: Forward / Attacking Midfielder

Caps:  80

Goals: 22

A maestro capable of truly anything with the ball at his feet, Tuncay broke into the first team of second-division Turkish side Sakaryaspor at the age of 18 and immediately became a regular in the starting 11. He received his first call-up to the national team two years later, in 2002. 

Tuncay received only one cap that year but went on to star in the FIFA Confederations Cup the next year, with four goal involvements in five starts (three goals, one assist) as Turkey won their second bronze medal at a major tournament in three years.

Tuncay won the Silver Ball and the Silver Shoe awards as the second-best player and second-highest scorer in the tournament. He also scored one of the quickest goals in Confederations Cup history, netting after 120 seconds vs Colombia in the third-place playoff game. By 2008, Tuncay was vice-captain of the national team and irreplaceable in the starting 11.

After the first of two hat-tricks for Turkey in 2006, as well as consistently brilliant form for Premier League side Middlesbrough, he was called up to Turkey’s Euro 2008 squad. The forward was instrumental in his nation’s run to the semi-final, assisting two goals in four games and even playing as a goalkeeper for a few minutes after Turkey’s ‘keeper was sent off vs the Czech Republic. He missed the semi-final vs Germany due to suspension.

Tuncay’s last cap came in 2010 at the age of only 28. An attacker capable of either picking a pass, scoring long-range screamers or pulling off acrobatic golazos, Tuncay was often poetry in motion.

Honorable Mentions:

• Metin Oktay

• Alpay Özalan

• Emre Belözoglu

• Lefter Kücükandonyadis

Check out our piece on the best players to have played for Italy, the greatest Swiss players of all time, and also the best Welsh players to wear the red shirt.

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