"I HAVE TO GO" HE SAID AND LEFT: THE UNCROWNED KING METIN OKTAY

Metin Oktay is the hero of a legendary career starting in the Damlacik neighborhood of Izmir and reaching the absolute summit of Turkish football and Italy's Palermo. He did not merely become a legend wearing the Galatasaray jersey; he wrote a history in golden letters. Winning the top scorer title for three consecutive seasons in the National League starting in 1959, he set an incredible record. With his 38 goals during the 1962-1963 season, he achieved a monumental individual success that remained unsurpassed for years, proudly carrying the top scorer title six times in total. However, what made him the Uncrowned King was not just his goals or records. He won the love of all of Turkey with his unique gentlemanliness, politeness, respect for his rivals, and unparalleled loyalty. His friendship with Fenerbahce legend Lefter Kucukandonyadis, lasting until his death, was the most beautiful proof of sportsmanship, elegantly portrayed even in recent films. After ending his playing career, Oktay never broke away from football; he shared his vast knowledge by working as a manager, a Galatasaray board member, taking roles at Bursaspor, and as a sports writer for Milliyet newspaper. However, on September 13, 1991, bitter news plunged the country into mourning. According to his closest friend Turgay Seren; after dinner at Galatasaray Island, despite all insistence, he left saying 'I have to go' and died in a horrific traffic accident on the Bosphorus Bridge. Seren's words, 'If he had stayed that night despite our insistence, maybe he would be among us today,' went down in history as a profound sorrow. When his funeral was brought to Ali Sami Yen Stadium the next day, the stands were packed. Tens of thousands of people were there not just to bid farewell to a footballer, but to a massive piece of their lives. Following the prayer at Fatih Mosque, Metin Oktay was buried in Kozlu Cemetery, forever remembered as the King.

IMAGE: KÜRE ANSİKLOPEDİ