15 Best Turkish Players in Football History (Ranked)

Once seen as minnows on the international stage, Turkey endured years of struggle in world football. However, the nation's fortunes changed dramatically at the turn of the century.

The national team’s standout performances at Euro 2000 and a historic third-place finish at the 2002 World Cup cemented Turkey’s place among the elite. Meanwhile, Galatasaray showcased the country’s growing strength at club level, lifting the UEFA Cup in 2000 with a victory over Arsenal before defeating Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup.

While Turkey has struggled to replicate those highs since finishing third at Euro 2008, the emergence of Real Madrid's teenage sensation Arda Güler offers fresh hope for the future.

Here are the legendary players that the next generation must strive to emulate.

Ranking Criteria:

• International Career – Only players who represented Turkey at the senior level are included.
• Club Success – Recognition for excelling at the highest level, whether in European competitions with Turkish clubs or for top teams across the continent.
• Longevity – Reaching the top is impressive, but staying there is even more remarkable.

15. Emre Belozoglu

1996 - 2011

Emre Belözoğlu rose through the ranks of Galatasaray’s famed youth system at the turn of the century, quickly making a name for himself with his combative and commanding displays. His performances caught the attention of Europe's elite, and in 2001, Inter Milan secured his services for £5 million.

During four inconsistent seasons in Italy, Emre managed to lift the Coppa Italia before moving to Newcastle United in the Premier League. A skilled playmaker and dead-ball specialist, he possessed immense technical ability, but his fiery temper often landed him in trouble. Despite the controversies, Emre’s impact on Turkish football remains undeniable—his 100 international caps place him among the country's most decorated players, with only three men earning more appearances for the national team.

14. Tuncay Sanli

2000 - 2015

Tuncay Şanlı may have been a journeyman across Europe's top leagues, but in Turkey, he was nothing short of a national hero. After an initial adjustment period, he thrived in England with Middlesbrough under Gareth Southgate before brief stints at Stoke City, Bolton Wanderers, and Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.

However, it was in his homeland where Tuncay cemented his legendary status. During a four-year spell with Fenerbahçe, he won three Süper Lig titles and became a fan favorite for his relentless work rate and flair. Nicknamed Cesur Yürek—"Braveheart"—for his fearless attitude on the pitch, his commitment earned him respect even from rival Galatasaray supporters, despite his deep-rooted ties to their fiercest adversaries.

13. Nuri Sahin

2005 - 2021

Blessed with immense talent but plagued by injuries, Nuri Şahin never quite reached the heights expected of him despite playing for some of the world's biggest clubs. While a typical footballer might play up to 1,000 matches in a two-decade career, Şahin managed only 480, recording 40 goals and 72 assists.

His finest years came at Borussia Dortmund, where he played a pivotal role in their 2011 Bundesliga triumph. That success earned him a move to Real Madrid, but his time in Spain was short-lived, with just four appearances in a title-winning campaign. A loan spell at Liverpool the following season also proved underwhelming, with Şahin featuring only seven times before returning to Dortmund. After struggling with persistent fitness issues, he retired in 2021 at the age of 33.

12. Yildiray Basturk

1996 - 2010

In footballing terms, Yıldıray Baştürk was a late bloomer. Another German-born Turkish talent, he spent much of his early career flying under the radar before bursting onto the scene with Bayer Leverkusen in the 2001/02 season.

Baştürk played a crucial role in Leverkusen’s remarkable run to the Champions League final, a campaign ultimately defined by Zinedine Zidane’s iconic volley. He carried that form into the 2002 World Cup, starting every game as Turkey secured a historic third-place finish. Despite never winning a major title—the only player on this list with such misfortune—his technical ability and influence on the pitch cemented his status as one of his generation’s finest talents.

11. Hakan Calhanoglu

2011 - Present

Hakan Çalhanoğlu is widely regarded as Turkey's best active player—and for good reason. Another German-born star, he captains the national team and is a key figure in Inter Milan’s midfield.

In 2023, Çalhanoğlu came agonizingly close to becoming the first Turkish player to win the Champions League, only for Inter to fall short against Manchester City in the final. The defeat was even more bittersweet given that the match was held in Istanbul. However, redemption came the following season as Inter stormed to the 2024 Serie A title. In a moment of poetic justice for the former AC Milan midfielder, Inter clinched their 20th league crown with a victory over their city rivals.

10. Sergen Yalcin

1993 - 2003

Before making his mark as a coach, Sergen Yalçın was, first and foremost, one of the greatest legends of Turkish football. The iconic attacking midfielder holds the rare distinction of having played for all three of Istanbul’s biggest clubs—Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, and Fenerbahçe.

Though he never ventured beyond Turkey’s borders as a player, many believe his talent would have shone just as brightly in England or Italy. However, that chapter was never written, adding an air of mystery to his legacy and further cementing his legendary status.

9. Lefter Kucukandonyadis

1948 - 1963

Lefter Küçükandonyadis will forever be remembered as the first Turkish player to play for a foreign club. After leaving Galatasaray in 1951, he moved to Fiorentina and later OGC Nice before returning to Turkey, where he became a legend at Fenerbahçe, scoring over 400 goals in approximately 600 games.

Toward the end of his career, the forward—whose Greek heritage was reflected in his surname—chose to play and later coach in his ancestral homeland, joining AEK Athens. However, on the international stage, he proudly represented Turkey, earning 46 caps and scoring 21 goals.

8. Hamit Altintop

2000 - 2018

Hamit Altıntop—whose surname translates to "Golden Ball" in English—was one of two brothers to represent Turkey. Born in Germany, like many other Turkish internationals, he spent most of his career in the Bundesliga alongside his younger brother, Halil.

The elder Altıntop made his name at Schalke 04 before following the well-trodden path of top talents in Germany by signing for Bayern Munich. After four successful years in Bavaria, he made the high-profile switch to Real Madrid.

However, opportunities in the Spanish capital were scarce during the 2012/13 season, as he found himself competing with world-class talents like Xabi Alonso, Lassana Diarra, Mesut Özil, Kaká, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Still, the fact that Madrid signed him at all is a testament to his undeniable ability.

7. Rustu Recber

1988 - 2012

In the early 2000s, Rüştü Reçber was among the most sought-after goalkeepers in world football. Fresh off a stellar 2002 World Cup—where he played a crucial role in Turkey’s third-place finish—he became a free agent after leaving Fenerbahçe.

Despite interest from Arsenal and Manchester United, Reçber opted to join Barcelona. However, his time at the Camp Nou was hindered by La Liga’s non-European player quota, restricting him to just seven appearances.

Though his Barcelona stint was brief and unremarkable, Reçber remains Turkey’s greatest goalkeeper of all time. He holds the national team record with 120 caps and maintained an impressive record at club level, conceding less than a goal per game throughout his career.

6. Hakan Sukur

1987 - 2008

Hakan Şükür, the greatest goalscorer in Turkish football history, amassed an incredible 326 goals and 124 assists across 713 domestic appearances. A key figure in Galatasaray’s triumphant 1999/2000 European campaign, the towering striker netted four times in the Champions League group stage. Though the team finished third, they dropped into the UEFA Cup, where Şükür added six more goals—including a stunning strike against Leeds United—helping Galatasaray lift the trophy.

That summer, Şükür secured a move to Inter Milan but struggled for consistent game time, playing behind Christian Vieri and Ronaldo. He later had brief stints at Parma and Blackburn Rovers before returning to Galatasaray, where he cemented his legacy as the club’s all-time leading scorer. His record of 249 goals remains unmatched to this day.

5. Nihat Kahveci

1997 - 2011

Nihat Kahveci is one of the few Turkish-born players to begin his career in Turkey but make his mark by playing more games in one of Europe’s top four leagues. A prolific forward, he netted 75 goals in 195 La Liga appearances for Real Sociedad and Villarreal.

His finest season came in 2002/03 when he scored 23 league goals for Real Sociedad, finishing as La Liga’s second-highest scorer behind Roy Makaay (29 goals). Nihat’s goalscoring heroics nearly inspired La Real to an unlikely title triumph, as they finished just two points behind Real Madrid’s star-studded ‘Galáctico’ squad, featuring some of football’s all-time greats.

4. Bulent Korkmaz

1990 - 2005

Much like Francesco Totti at AS Roma, Bülent Korkmaz built his legacy on loyalty, spending his entire career at a single club—Galatasaray. The commanding center-back, who helped Turkey secure a bronze medal at the 2002 World Cup, made over 600 appearances for Cimbom. His greatest triumph came in the 1999/2000 season when he played a key role in Galatasaray’s UEFA Cup and European Super Cup victories.

A true icon of Turkish football, Korkmaz was even offered the honor of having his No. 3 jersey retired by the club. However, he humbly declined, choosing to depart without a grand farewell, staying true to his understated yet legendary status.

3. Metin Oktay

1955 - 1968

A footballing icon of the 1950s and 1960s, Metin Oktay earned the title of the "king without a crown" for good reason. A prolific center-forward, he remains the Turkish league's all-time top scorer, having won six Golden Boot awards.

Oktay's legendary career saw him claim ten major trophies with Galatasaray, where he played over 300 matches. He also had stints with İzmirspor—where he finished as the second division's top scorer—and Italian side Palermo. On the international stage, he earned 36 caps for Turkey, scoring 19 goals and captaining the team on multiple occasions.

2. Arda Turan

2005 - 2022

Arda Turan is arguably the most high-profile Turkish player to feature for one of football’s elite clubs. He spent six seasons in Spain, four of which were with Atletico Madrid, where he won the Europa League and a La Liga title. In 2015, he secured a move to Barcelona, adding another domestic crown to his collection.

However, Turan’s career was marred by his temper. While on loan at Istanbul Basaksehir from Barcelona, he received a suspended three-year sentence for firing a gun at a hospital. Another infamous moment came during his time at Atletico Madrid when, in a fit of frustration against Barcelona, he hurled his boot toward the assistant referee. Despite these controversies, there’s no denying his talent and impact on Turkish football.

1. Tugay Kerimoglu

1987 - 2009

Tugay Kerimoglu was a magician with the ball at his feet. His exquisite touch, pinpoint passing, and thunderous right foot made him a fan favorite wherever he played. A product of Galatasaray’s youth academy, he played a key role in their historic UEFA Cup triumph in 2000.

His performances caught the eye of Rangers, who signed him in the January transfer window. After a season and a half in Scotland, Tugay moved to Blackburn Rovers, where he spent eight years dazzling fans with his skill—despite his well-known smoking habit. His displays earned him the nickname "The Turkish Delight."

During a post-match conversation, Mark Hughes told Sir Alex Ferguson that Tugay would be playing for Manchester United if he were a decade younger. Ferguson disagreed but went even further, claiming the midfielder was a one-of-a-kind talent who could walk into any team in the world. Both Blackburn and Galatasaray were fortunate to witness his brilliance, and their fans still revere him as a legend.