Who is Hakan Şükür?

Early Life and Football Career

Born on 1 September 1971 in Adapazarı, Turkey, Hakan Şükür grew into a towering striker known for his physical presence, aerial ability and instinctive goal‑scoring talent. Over the course of a professional career spanning from the late 1980s to 2008, Şükür played for several clubs, most notably Galatasaray, and also including stints with Inter Milan, Parma and Blackburn Rovers abroad.

It was with Galatasaray that Şükür truly became a legend. Across three spells with the club he scored hundreds of goals, helped Galatasaray dominate the Turkish Süper Lig, and was central to some of the club’s greatest achievements – including the historic UEFA Cup victory in 2000, one of the proudest moments in Turkish club football history.

On the international stage, Şükür became Turkey’s all‑time leading scorer, netting 51 goals in 112 appearances – a record that stood as a testament to his consistency and influence for the national team for more than a decade.

Perhaps his most famous moment came at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where Turkey achieved its best‑ever finish of third place. In the third‑place playoff against South Korea, Şükür scored after just 10.8 seconds, setting the record for the fastest goal in World Cup finals history – a moment replayed endlessly in football highlights around the world.

The Peak of Sporting Glory

Şükür’s brilliance on the pitch earned him nicknames like “Kral” (King) and “The Bull of the Bosphorus.” He was a three‑time Gol Kralı (top scorer) in the Süper Lig and accumulated countless individual trophies and honours during the 1990s and early 2000s.

His style — a blend of physical force, aerial dominance and a knack for being in the right place at the right time — distinguished him even among elite forwards. For a generation of Turkish football fans, Şükür embodied the excitement and international promise of the national game.

Transition to Politics

Retirement did not lead Şükür back to a quiet life. In 2011, he transitioned from sports into politics, winning a seat in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). For a time, he appeared poised to influence more than just football, bringing his name recognition and popularity to a new arena.

However, Turkish politics in the 2010s were volatile. In 2013, he resigned from the AKP in the midst of a corruption investigation that engulfed many officials and became a flashpoint between political factions. Şükür aligned himself with supporters of US‑based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen — once an ally of the AKP — intensifying his estrangement from the Turkish government.

Legal Problems and Exile

The relationship between Şükür and the Turkish state deteriorated sharply. After the failed coup attempt in July 2016, the Turkish government designated the Gülen movement as a terrorist organization and began a wide‑ranging crackdown. Amid these events, Şükür — accused by prosecutors of being a member of that movement — faced increasing legal danger at home.

Fearing arrest, Şükür fled Turkey and took refuge in the United States in mid‑2016, where he has remained ever since.

In the years that followed, the Turkish state sought to strip him of his honours and even seized his properties — a dramatic reversal for a man once celebrated nationwide. Medals and official recognition were revoked, and images and statues once commemorating his feats were removed or renamed.

In recent years discussions in Turkish legal circles have included proposals to make it harder for exiled dissidents like Şükür to bring legal actions in Turkish courts, partly in response to lawsuits he won against individuals who insulted him online and labelled him a terrorist — a sign of how his legal status continues to be contentious inside Turkey.

Life Abroad and Public Image

Life in the United States has been markedly different for Şükür from his previous status as a national icon. Multiple media reports and interviews over the years have described him working modest jobs, including driving for ride‑hail services and running small businesses, a far cry from his former fame and wealth in Turkey.

While some social media narratives exaggerate or romanticize aspects of this new life, the core truth remains: he lives far from the stadiums where he once thrilled crowds, and his relationship with his homeland remains fractured.

Opinions about him vary widely. Many football fans outside of Turkey still recognise his sporting legacy, celebrating his goals and victories. In Turkey, however, public opinion is deeply divided — while some remember his skill and contribution to the national game, others see his political choices as betrayal, and the shadow of the Gülen movement scandals colors much of how he is remembered domestically.

Legacy in the Football World

Despite the political controversies, Şükür’s sporting legacy is profound. He remains embedded in the records of Turkish and international football:

Turkey’s all‑time top scorer with 51 goals.
Record holder for the fastest goal in World Cup history.
A key figure in Galatasaray’s golden era, helping the club secure multiple league titles and the UEFA Cup.