10 Best Fenerbahce Players Of All Time
This guide ranks the best Fenerbahce football players of all time, and It’s based on their overall performances for the team. However, these are players who have recorded the highest goal for Fenerbahce:
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| Player Name | Nationality | Position | Fenerbahçe Career | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeki Rıza Sporel | Turkey | Striker | 1915–1934 | 470 |
| Alaattin Baydar | Turkey | Striker | 1915–1934 | 362 |
| Lefter Küçükandonyadis | Turkey | Striker | 1947–1951, 1953–1964 | 423 |
| Fikret Arıcan | Turkey | Striker | 1927–1947 | 231 |
| Naci Bastoncu | Turkey | Striker | 1934–1944 | 232 |
| Melih Kotanca | Turkey | Striker | 1939–1948 | 204 |
| Cemil Turan | Turkey | Striker | 1972–1980 | 194 |
| Aykut Kocaman | Turkey | Striker | 1988–1996 | 166 |
| Şeref Has | Turkey | Midfielder | 1955–1969 | 168 |
| Can Bartu | Turkey | Forward | 1957–1961, 1969–1970 | 162 |
1. Zeki Rıza Sporel
Zeki Rıza Sporel is one of the best players in the history of Fenerbahçe SK. Born on February 28, 1898, in Istanbul, Zeki Rıza Sporel made a lasting impression on Turkish football.
His incredible skills and dedication made him one of Fenerbahçe’s most celebrated players. Sporel began playing for Fenerbahçe in 1916, and he stayed with the club for 18 years until 1934.
During his time there, he played in 352 matches and scored an amazing 473 goals. This gives him an average of 1.34 goals per match, which is an impressive record and one of the highest in Turkish football history.
His ability to score goals helped Fenerbahçe become a strong team in Turkish football during those years. Sporel was not only successful at the club level but also made notable contributions to the Turkish national team.
From 1923 to 1932, he played 16 matches for Turkey and scored 15 goals. He is particularly remembered for scoring the first goal in the history of the Turkish national team.
After his playing career, Sporel continued to serve Fenerbahçe in other roles. He became the president of the club from 1955 to 1958.
Also, he played a part in Turkish sports administration, including work with the Turkish Water Sports Federation. Sporel’s life had some challenges too.
During the Turkish War of Independence, he was accused of not supporting nationalist activities, which led to his dismissal from the military.
He explained that he could not serve because his wife was ill, but this explanation was met with mixed reactions. Sadly, Zeki Rıza Sporel passed away on November 3, 1969, due to a heart attack.
He was buried in Karacaahmet Cemetery in Istanbul, but his legacy lives on, not just through his impressive records, but also through the respect and admiration he continues to receive from fans and players.
2. Alaattin Baydar
Alaattin Baydar, born on January 1, 1901, in Istanbul, is considered one of the greatest players in Fenerbahçe’s history.
He was a legendary Turkish footballer who played mainly as a right winger and right forward for Fenerbahçe between 1916 and 1934.
Known for his amazing skills and ability to score goals, Baydar made a huge impact during his time with the club. Baydar played a total of 324 matches for Fenerbahçe and scored an impressive 362 goals.
This incredible achievement places him as one of Fenerbahçe’s all-time top scorers. One of the most memorable games of his career was his dominance in matches against Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe’s arch-rivals.
In just 39 matches against them, he scored 24 goals. During his playing career, Baydar helped Fenerbahçe win two Istanbul League Championships in the 1920–21 and 1922–23 seasons.
After retiring as a player, he continued to contribute to the club as a president, leading Fenerbahçe to win two Turkish League Championships in 1963–64 and 1964–65.
Baydar’s international career was also outstanding. He represented Turkey 16 times between 1923 and 1928 and was part of the Turkish national team that competed in the 1924 and 1928 Summer Olympics.
Also, he was a member of the General Harrington Cup squad, which played a part in the Turkish War of Independence.
Baydar’s family was deeply connected to Fenerbahçe. His younger brother, Nasuhi Baydar, was one of the founding members of the club.
After retiring from football, Baydar remained active in the sport as a coach and administrator. However, he passed away on July 13, 1990, in Istanbul at the age of 89l.
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3. Lefter Küçükandonyadis
Lefter Küçükandonyadis is one of the best Fenerbahçe players of all time and a legendary figure in Turkish football. Lefter was a Turkish professional footballer of Greek descent, who played as a forward for Fenerbahçe, and for the Turkey national team.
He is widely considered one of the greatest strikers in Turkish football history. Lefter’s football journey began on the island of Büyükada in Istanbul.
He first played for Taksim SK, a club in the European part of the city. In 1947, he joined Fenerbahçe, and he achieved incredible success.
In his first season with Fenerbahçe, Lefter helped the team win the National Division championship and became the top scorer in Turkey. This was just the beginning of a brilliant career with the club.
During his time with Fenerbahçe, Lefter won three Turkish League titles in 1959, 1961, and 1964, and two Istanbul League titles.
He also became the top scorer of the Istanbul League twice, in the 1947-48 and 1953-54 seasons. Over his entire career with Fenerbahçe, Lefter scored an amazing 423 goals in 615 games, making him a true legend of the club.
Lefter also had a remarkable international career, representing Turkey on the national team. He earned 46 caps for Turkey and served as the team captain nine times.
Lefter played in the 1948 Summer Olympics and the 1954 FIFA World Cup, scoring important goals against West Germany and South Korea. He was Turkey’s top scorer for many years, with 21 goals for his country, until Hakan Şükür broke his record.
Lefter was also the first Turkish footballer to receive the “Golden Honor Medal” from the Turkish Football Federation for playing in 50 international matches.
However, After he retired from playing, Lefter became a coach, managing teams in Greece, South Africa, and Turkey. His contributions to Turkish football were honored in 2009 with a statue next to the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Fenerbahçe’s home ground.
Lefter Küçükandonyadis passed away on January 13, 2012, at the age of 86. He left behind a lasting legacy as one of the most iconic and influential figures in Turkish football.
4. Fikret Arıcan
Fikret Arıcan was one of Fenerbahçe’s all-time top scorers and a key figure in Turkish football history. He was Born on July 17, 1911, in Istanbul, and started playing football at a very young age.
At just 12 years old, he joined Fenerbahçe’s youth team. By the time he was 15, he made his professional debut for the senior team.
Arıcan played as a forward and was known for his ability to score goals and his versatility on the field. He played for Fenerbahçe from 1927 to 1947, a period of 20 years, during which he made 205 appearances and scored 106 goals.
These impressive stats made him one of Fenerbahçe’s all-time greats. Beyond his club success, Arıcan also represented the Turkish national team.
He earned eight caps between 1931 and 1937 and scored two goals for his country. He was also part of the Turkish squad for the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.
Arıcan then continued to influence Fenerbahçe as a coach. He served as the head coach of the team twice, first from 1945 to 1947 and again in 1955.
Later on, from 1984 to 1986, he also served as the chairman of Fenerbahçe SK. Unfortunately, Fikret Arıcan passed away on May 25, 1993, but his legacy lives on.
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5. Naci Bastoncu
One of the top players in Fenerbahçe’s history is Naci Bastoncu, who was born on January 1, 1914, in Trabzon, Turkey. Bastoncu was a famous Turkish footballer known for his skills as a striker.
He spent his entire career at Fenerbahçe SK and became a legendary figure In the team. Bastoncu played for Fenerbahçe from 1934 to 1947. Playing in 288 matches and scored 159 goals.
His incredible goal-scoring ability made a big difference for the team. With Bastoncu, Fenerbahçe won many titles. They claimed the Turkish National Division title five times in 1937, 1940, 1943, 1945, and 1946.
Plus, the Prime Minister’s Cup twice, in 1945 and 1946. In addition, he was part of the team that won the Turkish Football Championship twice, in 1935 and 1944, and helped the club win five Istanbul Football League titles between 1934 and 1947.
Even though Bastoncu had a fantastic club career, he didn’t play much for the Turkish national team. World War II limited many players’ chances to play internationally, so he never earned caps for Turkey.
Fenerbahçe fans loved Bastoncu and called him “Taka,” a nickname linked to his Trabzon roots and the regional culture of the Black Sea area. After he retired from football, Naci Bastoncu passed away on October 28, 1983, at the age of 69.
6. Melih Kotanca
Melih Kotanca is also a notable figure In the club’s history. Kotanca was a talented football player who made a massive impact during his time with Fenerbahçe.
Melih Kotanca joined Fenerbahçe in 1938 and played as a defender for ten years, until 1948. During his time with the club, he appeared in 185 matches.
Kotanca was particularly admired for his defensive abilities, which included excellent positioning, tactical awareness, and the ability to read the game.
These qualities made him a reliable and valuable player for the team. What made Kotanca even more impressive was his talent in athletics.
Besides football, he impressed in other sports to show his overall athletic ability. This versatility made him a standout figure not just in football, but in Turkish sports in general.
Melih Kotanca passed away on June 8, 1986, in Istanbul. He is celebrated as one of the club’s best players and a true legend in Turkish football history.
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7. Cemil Turan
Cemil Turan, born on February 26, 1947, in Istanbul, Turkey, is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players in Fenerbahce history, having played as a forward and is known for his incredible goal-scoring ability.
Turan began his football career with Sarıyer in 1962, where he made a name for himself by scoring 103 goals in 200 matches.
After a successful stint at Sarıyer, he moved to İstanbulspor in 1968 and continued to impress by scoring 25 goals in 100 games.
However, it was his time at Fenerbahçe that defined his career. Turan joined Fenerbahçe in 1972 and played for the club until 1980.
During his time at Fenerbahçe, he made 366 appearances and scored an impressive 194 goals. This makes him one of the top scorers in the club’s history.
His goal-scoring achievements helped Fenerbahçe win three Süper Lig titles in the seasons 1973-74, 1974-75, and 1977-78.
He also contributed to Fenerbahçe’s success in the Turkish Cup, winning the trophy twice in the seasons 1973-74 and 1978-79.
And, he was named the Süper Lig top scorer three times during his career, in the seasons 1973-74, 1974-75, and 1977-78.
His ability to find the back of the net made him a key player for Fenerbahçe and a legend among the club’s supporters.
On the international level, Turan represented the Turkish national team from 1970 to 1979. He earned 44 caps and scored 19 goals for his country.
Despite his footballing achievements, Turan’s career was marred by controversy. In 2011, he was involved in the Şike scandal, a match-fixing case that shook Turkish football. Turan was arrested and spent about seven months in prison.
In 2012, he was found guilty of match-fixing and sentenced to around one year in prison, along with a ban from working in sports clubs and federations.
8. Aykut Kocaman
Aykut Kocaman is one of the all-time top scorers In Fenerbahçe history, playing from 1988 to 1996. He is considered one of the club’s legends because of his remarkable skills and leadership on the field.
Kocaman started his professional career with Fenerbahçe in 1984, and he became known for his excellent technical skills, vision, and ability to lead his team.
He played in more than 200 matches for the club and scored 166 goals, winning several trophies, including the Turkish Süper Lig title in 1996.
After he finished his playing career, Kocaman moved into coaching. He started working with Fenerbahçe’s youth teams before becoming the manager of the senior team in 2006.
As a manager, Kocaman had great success. He led Fenerbahçe to win the Turkish Süper Lig title in the 2006–07 season and also won the Turkish Cup in the 2012–13 season.
One of his notable achievements was guiding the team to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League in the 2012–13 season. This was Fenerbahçe’s best performance in a European competition since 1996.
However, Kocaman left Fenerbahçe in 2013 but came back to manage the team again in 2014 and for the 2017–18 season. He has also managed other Turkish clubs like Beşiktaş, Konyaspor, and Antalyaspor.
His most recent role was with Konyaspor from 2015 to 2016. Aykut Kocaman is highly respected in Turkish football for his tactical knowledge, ability to manage players, and talent for developing young players. His time with Fenerbahçe, both as a player and manager, has made him a key figure in the club’s history.
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9. Şeref Has
Şeref Has is often considered one of the greatest players in Fenerbahçe’s history, having begun his professional football career at Beyoğlu S.K. in 1954.
Even in his early days, he showed promise by scoring four goals in just 17 appearances. His talent quickly gained attention, and in 1955, he transferred to Fenerbahçe, one of Turkey’s most famous football clubs.
At Fenerbahçe, Şeref Has become a key player, known for his versatility as both a midfielder and a forward. He played for the club for 14 years, from 1955 to 1969, registering 605 appearances and scoring 168 goals.
This makes him one of the most capped players in the club’s history. Has was particularly noted for his exceptional heading ability, which helped him score many goals.
His contributions were crucial in helping Fenerbahçe win four Turkish League titles and two Istanbul League titles. Şeref Has also had a notable international career.
He played for Turkey in different age groups. Şeref earned nine caps for the Turkey U18 team and made three appearances for the Turkey B team.
His senior international career spanned from 1956 to 1967, during which he earned 39 caps and scored one goal. He was also the captain of the national team on ten occasions.
After his long and successful time with Fenerbahçe, Şeref Has joined Mersin İdmanyurdu in 1973, and he played until 1975, although he didn’t make any league appearances there.
10. Can Bartu
Can Bartu, born on January 31, 1936, and passed away on April 11, 2019, was one of the most outstanding players in Fenerbahçe’s and Turkish history.
Bartu began his career in basketball. He played for Fenerbahçe’s basketball team and represented Turkey in international matches six times.
His transition to football was facilitated by Fikret Arıcan, the coach of Fenerbahçe’s football team, who saw potential in Bartu for the sport.
On January 25, 1957, Bartu made his football debut against Beyoğluspor. He had an impressive performance, scoring two goals and assisting two more in a 4-0 victory.
On that same day, he also played a basketball match. Bartu had a successful career at Fenerbahçe. He played for the club from 1955 to 1961 and then again from 1967 to 1970, recording 326 appearances and scoring 162 goals.
Bartu was a crucial player for the team and helped them win four Turkish Super League titles in 1959, 1961, 1968, and 1970.
His exceptional skills earned him the nickname “Sinyor” (Italian for nobleman) during his time in Italy. In 1961, Bartu moved to ACF Fiorentina in Italy.
He became the first Turkish player to play in a European final when he competed against Atlético Madrid in the 1962 Cup Winners’ Cup.
He later played for Venezia and S.S. Lazio. Bartu also had a fantastic international career, earning 26 caps for the Turkish national team.
He was known for his adaptability, even playing as a goalkeeper during a European Cup match against Romania in 1958.
After retiring from professional sports in 1970, Bartu worked as a journalist, writing for the newspaper Hürriyet, and became a sports commentator on television.
He continued to be an influential figure in Turkish sports and served as the UEFA Cup ambassador for the 2008/2009 season. Can Bartu passed away in 2019, but his statue was erected in his honor in Istanbul’s Yoğurtçu Park in 2021.
Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.
