Top 10 Most Famous Turkish Football Players
This guide ranked the top 10 popular Turkish footballers based on their club and International career, achievements, and overall Impact on the game:
RankPlayer NamePositionClub CareerNotable Achievements
1Hakan ŞükürStrikerGalatasaray, Inter MilanTop scorer, World Cup third place
2Rüştü ReçberGoalkeeperFenerbahçe, Beşiktaş, BarcelonaCaptain, World Cup third place
3Arda TuranMidfielderGalatasaray, Atlético Madrid, BarcelonaLa Liga titles, Europa League
4Tugay KerimoğluDefenderGalatasaray, Rangers, Blackburn RoversScottish Premier League titles
5Hakan ÇalhanoğluMidfielderAC Milan, Inter MilanSerie A titles
6Nihat KahveciStrikerReal Sociedad, VillarrealLa Liga titles, World Cup third place
7Emre BelözoğluMidfielderGalatasaray, Inter Milan, FenerbahçeCaptain
8Nuri ŞahinMidfielderBorussia Dortmund, Real MadridBundesliga title
9Bülent KorkmazDefenderGalatasaray, Deportivo La CoruñaUEFA Cup, La Liga
10Yıldıray BaştürkMidfielderBayer LeverkusenChampions League finalist
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1. Hakan Şükür
Hakan Şükür is one of the most famous Turkish football players, known for his incredible goal-scoring ability. Born in Sapanca, Turkey, in 1971, he started his football career at Sakaryaspor before moving on to Bursaspor and then to Galatasaray, the club where he made his biggest impact.
During his time at Galatasaray, he became a three-time top scorer in the Turkish league, known as “Gol Kralı.”He also helped Galatasaray win many titles, including the UEFA Cup in 2000.
Internationally, Şükür is Turkey’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals in 112 appearances. He scored the fastest goal in World Cup history during the 2002 tournament, just 10.8 seconds into a match against South Korea.
This achievement made him a legend in Turkish football. However, after retiring from football in 2008, Şükür joined politics but later faced legal issues in Turkey, leading him to live in exile in the United States.
Despite his complex later life, Hakan Şükür’s football legacy remains strong, especially in Turkey, and he is regarded as one of the greatest strikers the country has ever produced.
2. Rüştü Reçber
Rüştü Reçber, born on May 10, 1973, in Korkuteli, Antalya is one of Turkey’s most popular football players, and he is known for his remarkable career as a goalkeeper.
He began his football career with Antalyaspor and later became a key player for top Turkish clubs like Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş.
Also, he played briefly for Barcelona in La Liga. Rüştü’s international career was equally impressive, with 120 caps for the Turkish national team.
He was instrumental in Turkey’s historic third-place finish at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and was selected for the tournament’s all-star team.
He was also impressed at the 2008 UEFA Euro, where his penalty-saving heroics against Croatia helped Turkey reach the semifinals.
Known for his exceptional shot-stopping abilities, Rüştü was praised for his quick reflexes and strong positional sense. His long hair and the anti-glare paint under his eyes made him a memorable figure on the field.
Over his career, he earned lots of accolades, including being named one of the best goalkeepers in European competitions in 2002 and being selected by Pelé as one of the FIFA 100, a list of the greatest living footballers.
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3. Arda Turan
Arda Turan is one of the best Turkish football players, having begun his football career at a young age. He started in the youth system of Galatasaray.
Then he made his debut with the senior team in 2005. Turan’s football potential made him a key player for Galatasaray.
In 2011, Turan made a big move to Atlético Madrid in Spain, becoming the most expensive Turkish footballer at that time.
During his time with Atlético, he was crucial in the team’s success, helping them win the UEFA Europa League and reach the UEFA Champions League final.
His performances earned him recognition as one of the world’s top footballers In 2014, he was the only Turkish player named in The Guardian’s list of the 100 best footballers globally.
Turan’s career continued at FC Barcelona when he joined in 2015. Although his time at Barcelona was seen by limited playing opportunities due to the team’s star-studded lineup,
Turan still managed to make an impact, scoring goals and providing assists when called upon. In addition to his club success, Turan was a mainstay in the Turkish national team.
He earned over 100 caps and scored 17 goals for his country becoming one of Turkey’s most-capped players. His contributions were enough in many international tournaments, including UEFA Euro 2008, where Turkey reached the semi-finals.
After a successful playing career, Turan moved into management, and as of 2023, he is the manager of Eyüpspor, a Turkish football club.
4. Tugay Kerimoğlu
Tugay Kerimoğlu is one of the most popular Turkish football players. He played as a midfielder and had a remarkable career both in Turkey and abroad.
Tugay started his professional career with Galatasaray, playing from 1987 to 1999. He won the Turkish League six times and the Turkish Cup four times.
His leadership on the field was also recognized early when he became the youngest captain in Galatasaray’s history during the 1992–93 season.
In 1999, Tugay moved to Scotland, joining Rangers, and later, in 2001, he signed with Blackburn Rovers in England. He was a fan favorite at Blackburn, known for his skillful play and powerful shots from outside the box.
Tugay played over 230 matches for Blackburn before retiring in 2009 at the age of 38. Tugay also represented Turkey in several major tournaments, including Euro 1996, Euro 2000, and the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where Turkey achieved third place. He earned 94 caps for his country before retiring from international football in 2003.
5. Hakan Çalhanoğlu
Hakan Çalhanoğlu is one of the best Turkish football players ever, known for his exceptional skills, particularly in free kicks.
He was born in Mannheim, Germany, Çalhanoğlu started his football career with Karlsruher SC, a club in Germany’s lower leagues.
Despite the team being relegated in his first season, He sealed a move to Hamburger SV, and he made a name for himself.
Çalhanoğlu’s career took a massive turn when he joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2014. His time at Leverkusen made him one of Europe’s top midfielders.
He was known for his powerful and accurate free kicks, including a memorable 41-yard strike against Borussia Dortmund.
Then his impressive performances earned him a move to AC Milan in 2017, where he became a key player and wore the iconic number 10 jersey, a number worn by some of Milan’s greatest players.
In 2021, Çalhanoğlu made another move by signing with Inter Milan, Milan’s fierce city rivals. Despite the controversial transfer, he continued to impress.
Internationally, Çalhanoğlu chose to represent Turkey despite being born and raised in Germany. In 2022, he was named the captain of the Turkish national team.
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6. Nihat Kahveci
Nihat Kahveci is one of the most popular Turkish football players, having started his career at Beşiktaş, where he became a key player under coach John Toshack.
Nihat’s talent soon caught the attention of bigger clubs, and in 2002, he moved to Real Sociedad in Spain to form a powerful partnership with Darko Kovačević, helping the team achieve great success, including nearly winning La Liga in the 2002-03 season.
Nihat’s performances were so outstanding that he was recognized as one of the league’s top scorers. Later, he moved to Villarreal, and he continued to impress with his goal-scoring abilities, despite suffering from injuries.
His time in Spain made him one of Turkey’s best footballers. However, Nihat eventually returned to Beşiktaş, but his second stint at the club was less successful. After a brief and challenging period, he decided to retire from football in 2012.
7. Emre Belözoğlu
Emre Belözoğlu is one of the most famous Turkish football players. His career began with the support of his father, Mehmet, who introduced him to football at a young age.
Despite his mother’s concerns about a football career, Emre’s talent caught the attention of local coaches. After special training and guidance, he joined Galatasaray, where he made his professional debut at 16.
Belözoğlu’s success with Galatasaray was remarkable, as he won multiple domestic and international titles, including the UEFA Cup.
In 2001, he moved to Inter Milan, where he was recognized as the team’s best player during the 2002–03 season. Despite injuries, he still proved his talent as one of the top midfielders at Inter.
Emre later joined Newcastle United, though he had a strong start but struggled with injuries. In 2008, he returned to Turkey, signing with Fenerbahçe, and he continued to impress and even won the Süper Lig Player of the Year award.
Emre also made major contributions to the Turkish national team, playing in major tournaments and earning over 100 caps. He retired after his third spell with Fenerbahçe.
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8. Nuri Şahin
Nuri Şahin is one of Turkey’s most popular football players, and he had an impressive career both in Germany and internationally.
He began playing football at a young age and at just 16, Şahin became the youngest player ever to play in Germany’s Bundesliga while at Borussia Dortmund.
Şahin was instrumental in helping Borussia Dortmund win the Bundesliga title during the 2010-11 season, after which he was named the league’s player of the season.
His success in Germany earned him a move to Real Madrid, where he played under the management of José Mourinho.
Although injuries hampered his time in Spain, he still managed to score for Real Madrid and play in big matches like the UEFA Champions League.
After brief stints with Liverpool and Feyenoord, Şahin returned to Borussia Dortmund, and he continued to perform at a high level. Later in his career, he played for Werder Bremen before moving to Antalyaspor in Turkey.
There, he transitioned from player to coach, officially ending his playing career in 2021. Internationally, Şahin has represented Turkey, becoming the youngest player to play and score for his country.
9. Bülent Korkmaz
Bülent Korkmaz is one of Turkey’s most iconic football players, who began his football career at Galatasaray’s youth academy in 1979, initially as a goalkeeper.
However, upon the advice of his youth coach, he switched to a defender, a role that would define his career. At the age of 16, Korkmaz was offered a professional contract by Bayer Leverkusen but he chose to stay at Galatasaray.
This decision paid off when he was promoted to the senior squad in 1987. He became an integral part of the team, helping Galatasaray reach the semi-finals of the 1988–89 UEFA European Cup.
One of the most memorable moments of his career came during the 2000 UEFA Cup Final against Arsenal. Despite dislocating his shoulder, Korkmaz refused to leave the pitch, playing through the pain and helping his team secure the victory.
Unfortunately, this injury led to him missing the UEFA Euro 2000 tournament. Korkmaz also had a notable international career, playing for the Turkish national team.
He was part of the squad that finished third in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup. Also, he represented Turkey in EURO 96.
10. Yıldıray Baştürk
Without a doubt, Yıldıray Baştürk is one of Turkey’s best football players. He began his career in Germany, starting with Sportfreunde Wanne-Eickel and then moving to SG Wattenscheid 09. His big break came at VfL Bochum, playing in the UEFA Cup.
In 2001, he sealed a move to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and he contributed to the team’s impressive season, which included finishing second in the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and reaching the 2002 UEFA Champions League final.
His performance helped Turkey secure third place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, earning him ninth place in the 2002 Ballon d’Or voting.
In July 2004, Baştürk moved to Hertha BSC and played there until 2007. He then joined VfB Stuttgart on a free transfer.
In January 2010, he signed with Blackburn Rovers for the rest of the season but was released after his contract ended.
He played his first Premier League match for Blackburn against Wolverhampton Wanderers but did not secure a contract extension and retired in May 2011.
Internationally, Baştürk was part of Turkey’s squad in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where Turkey finished third. He earned 49 caps and scored two goals for the national team.
However, after being excluded from Turkey’s squad for Euro 2008, he announced he would not play for Turkey again as long as Fatih Terim was the coach.
Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.
