Metin Oktay
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Metin Oktay (born 1936 in İzmir, Turkey) was a legendary Turkish footballer, one of the most successful goalscorers in Turkey.
Oktay moved from Yün Mensucat to İzmirspor in 1954 and with 17 goals became top-scorer in the Second Division that season, the first of many times he would lead the scoring tables. In 1955, Gündüz Kılıç, trainer and former footballer of Galatasaray SK transferred him. Oktay, then only 19 years old, signed a five year contract with Galatasaray in exchange for a Chevrolet car. Despite his young age, he became top-scorer in his first season in the Istanbul League, with 19 goals, and his team became champion that season.
Metin Oktay wore the uniform of Galatasaray until 1969, with the exception of a short spell in 1961-1962, when he played for Palermo, Italy. He was 6 times top goalscorer during his career and set a record with 217 goals in total. Tanju Çolak would eventually break that record in 1988. Nicknamed the Taçsız Kral or "Uncrowned King", he was a particularly strong goal scorer in derby matches. During a derby against Galatasaray's hated rivals Fenerbahçe in 1959, he shot the ball so hard that it tore a hole through the back of the opponents' net. This unforgettable shot was one of 18 goals Oktay scored against Fenerbahçe in his career. The other major Istanbul rival, Beşiktaş let in 13 of his goals. Metin Oktay also coached the Galatasaray football team.
He played 36 times for the Turkish national team and scored 19 goals. Breaking every record in the history of Turkish football, the "King" retired in 1969. Metin Oktay died on September 13, 1991 in Istanbul following a tragic car accident.
Every year on the anniversary of his death, Galatasaray players and staff pay homage to the "Uncrowned King" at his grave in Istanbul.
Galatasaray's sports complex and training facility, located in Florya, Istanbul, is named after him.
[edit] Career achievements
- Most goals by a player (632),
- Most goals in consecutive seasons by a player (11),
- Most goals by a player in one season (38),
- Most seasons as top scorer (6 times in 1959, 1959-1960, 1960-1961, 1962-1963, 1964-1965 and 1968-1969*),
1968-1969 Both Metin Oktay and Fevzi Zemzem had 19 goals each. Fevzi Zemzem requested Metin Oktay to have the trophy) (Yeni Asir Newspaper)
- Best average of goals per match (1.46),
- Most goals at international level by a Turkish player (19),
- Three championships and four Turkish cups.
