Metin Oktay Goal Records

Lore & Background

Oktay started his career at amateur club Damlacık in 1952, moved to Yün Mensucat in 1953, and was transferred to İzmirspor in 1954. He became top scorer in the İzmir League with 17 goals in 1954–55. In 1955, Gündüz Kılıç transferred him to Galatasaray, where he signed a five-year contract for a Chevrolet car. He was top scorer in the Istanbul League in his first season (19 goals) and Galatasaray won the championship.

He was top scorer for four seasons in the Istanbul League and three more in the Turkish League, making seven consecutive years. In December 1960, he scored four goals in a 5–0 victory against Fenerbahçe. He stayed with Galatasaray until 1969, except for a short period in 1961–62 with Palermo. He was the most crowned (six times) top goalscorer in the Turkish League and set a record with 217 goals in total.

He scored 18 goals against Fenerbahçe in his career. He played 36 times for Turkey and scored 19 goals. He died on 13 September 1991 in Istanbul in a car accident.

Reader's Guide

Oktay's goal records: 217 goals in the Turkish League (record at the time); six times top scorer in the Turkish League (record); most Süper Lig goals in a single season: 38 (1962–63); Galatasaray all-time top scorer: 352 goals. He scored 18 goals against Fenerbahçe and 13 against Beşiktaş.

Did You Know?

• Metin Oktay was the first Turkish footballer to play himself in a movie based on his life while actively pursuing his career.
• In a 1959 derby against Fenerbahçe, he hit the ball hard enough to open a hole in the opponents' goal net.
• His daughter Zeynep died the same day she was born in 1965.