Hakan Şükür is a famous Turkish former professional football player and an outstanding figure in Turkish sports history.
Known for his prodigious ability, he spent most of his career at Galatasaray, where he became the club’s all-time top scorer.
His extraordinary football career began in the late 1980s, but it was during the 2002 FIFA World Cup that he achieved international acclaim.
Suker made headlines when he scored the fastest goal in World Cup history against South Korea just 10.8 seconds into the match, helping Türkiye finish third.
contour
- Full name: Hakan Suk
- Nickname: Kral (King), Bull of the Bosporus
- Date of birth: September 1, 1971
- Age: 53 years old
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Sakarya, Turkey
- Nationality: Turkish
- Occupation: Former professional football player, politician
- Height: 1.91m
- Parents: Not applicable
- Siblings: Gehan Suk
- Spouse: Beda
- Children: Hakan Şükür Jr., Sıla Şükür
- Relationship status: N/A
- Religion:Islam
- Ethnicity: Turkish
- Net worth: $5 million
early life and education
Hakan Suk is 53 years old. He was born on September 1, 1971 in Sakarya, Türkiye. Hakan grew up in an ordinary family and started playing football at a young age and started playing for local clubs.
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He joined Sakaryaspor’s youth academy where he honed his skills before making his professional debut at the age of 16. His talent soon caught the attention of scouts from big clubs, leading to a move to Bursaspor and eventually Galatasaray.
Suker attended local schools while balancing his studies with a flourishing football career. He graduated from high school but did not pursue higher education, choosing instead to focus on his career ambitions in football.
personal life
Hakan Şükür’s first marriage to Esra Elbirlik was arranged by the then mayor of Istanbul, Recep Tayyip Erdogan officiated, and the ceremony was broadcast live on television.
The couple divorced four months later and tragically, Elbirlik and her family died in the 1999 Izmit earthquake. He later married his second wife Beda.
Profession
Hakan Şükür’s career began in 1987 at Sakaryaspor before moving to Bursaspor in 1990. However, it was at Galatasaray that he really came to prominence.
He spent three years at the club from 1992 to 2008, scoring an impressive 217 goals in 392 games. During his career he had a brief spell with Torino and also played for Inter Milan and Blackburn Rovers.
Suker’s international career with the Turkish national team lasted from 1992 to 2008. During this period, he played 112 times for the Turkish national team and scored 51 goals, making him the top scorer in Turkish history. His most notable achievements include helping Türkiye reach the semi-finals of Euro 2000 and a third-place finish at the 2002 World Cup.
After retiring from professional football in 2008, Hakan turned into a pundit before entering politics as a member of Türkiye’s parliament.
Awards
- Turkish Super League Champion (8 times)
- UEFA Cup Champions (1999-2000 Galatasaray)
- Coppa Italia winner (with Turin in 1995)
- Most Outstanding Player of the Turkish Football Association (2003)
- Three-time Super League top scorer Gol Kralı
net worth
Hakan Şükür’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $5 million. His wealth has been accumulated through his successful football career, endorsements and political efforts.
dispute
After a failed coup attempt in Turkey in 2016 by supporters of Fethullah Gulen, Suker faced severe backlash for his association with the movement.
The Turkish government labeled him a traitor and accused him of participating in anti-government activities. This led to a legal battle for him when he fled Türkiye and sought asylum in the United States.
Controversy surrounding him includes accusations of corruption and betrayal of the country. He has publicly criticized Erdogan’s government and expressed concern about human rights violations in Türkiye. The comments further polarized public opinion between his legacy as a footballer and his political actions.
social media
- Instagram: @hakansukuroofficial
- Twitter: @HakanSukur