Football is full of extraordinary stories, but few are as mind-boggling as that of Hakan Şükür. Known as Turkey’s greatest footballer of all time, Şükür went from national hero to political exile.
Once a goal-scoring machine for Galatasaray and the Turkish national team, he now reportedly drives cabs in the United States, banned from his homeland.
So, how did this legendary striker, whose goals brought joy to millions, find himself in such an unexpected situation?
Let’s take a closer look at his rise and fall, and the complex circumstances that led to one of the wildest stories in football.
Hakan Şükür: Turkey’s Greatest Footballer
If you’re a fan of Turkish football, the name Hakan Şükür needs no introduction. Known as the “Bull of the Bosphorus,” Şükür was a dominant force on the pitch, leading Galatasaray to domestic glory and establishing himself as the best Turkish player of his era.
He was the face of Turkish football for more than a decade, and by the time he hung up his boots, his legacy was cemented. Here’s why:
His Impact on the Turkish National Team
Hakan Şükür had a stellar international career. Over a 15-year span, from the early ’90s to the mid-2000s, Şükür was Turkey’s go-to man for goals.
He scored 51 goals in 112 appearances for the national team, a record that still stands today.
If you look back at the 2002 World Cup, one of Turkey’s greatest footballing moments, Şükür was front and center. His contribution to Turkey’s third-place finish was massive.
He even set a record by scoring the fastest goal in World Cup history—just 11 seconds into the match against South Korea.
For Turkish fans, Şükür was more than just a footballer. He was a symbol of hope, a player who could lift the nation’s spirits with his talent and determination.
Dominating at Galatasaray
At the club level, Şükür was Galatasaray’s golden boy. Playing for Turkey’s biggest club, he became a household name, banging in goals and leading the team to multiple Süper Lig titles.
His partnership with Gheorghe Hagi during the late ’90s and early 2000s was iconic, helping the club win both domestic and European trophies, including the prestigious UEFA Cup in 2000.
When you talk about Turkish football’s golden era, you can’t leave out Şükür.
With 249 career goals, he remains at the top of the Süper Lig all-time scoring charts. His influence on Turkish football cannot be overstated.
So, what went wrong?
The Transition to Politics
After retiring from football in 2008, Şükür did what many athletes do—he went into politics. Given his popularity, it wasn’t a surprise.
In 2011, he was elected as an MP for Istanbul, representing the Justice and Development Party (AKP), led by Turkey’s now-President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Everything seemed to be going well for Şükür at this point.
But politics is rarely straightforward. Even though Şükür was aligned with Erdoğan and the ruling party, his long-standing association with a controversial figure—Fethullah Gülen—would soon turn his life upside down.
Fethullah Gülen and the AKP
To understand Şükür’s downfall, you have to understand his connection to Fethullah Gülen.
Gülen is a powerful Islamic cleric who, for years, had a massive influence on Turkish society and politics.
Despite being exiled in the U.S. since the late ’90s, Gülen’s followers had worked their way into influential positions within Turkey, particularly in the police and judiciary.
Şükür and Gülen had a close relationship, dating back years. Gülen was even a witness at Şükür’s wedding, along with Erdoğan, showing how intertwined politics, religion, and football can be in Turkey.
Initially, the AKP and Gülen’s movement were allies, but things changed dramatically in the 2010s. Erdoğan and the AKP grew increasingly suspicious of Gülen’s influence. By 2013, the relationship between the two had completely deteriorated.
When the AKP started shutting down schools associated with Gülen’s movement, Şükür made a bold move. He resigned from the AKP and continued his career as an independent politician.
This decision would mark the beginning of his downfall.
A Rapid Fall From Grace
Leaving the AKP wasn’t without consequences. In 2016, things took a darker turn.
Şükür was charged with insulting Erdoğan on Twitter and accused of being a member of Gülen’s movement, which had by then been declared a terrorist organization by the Turkish government.
It didn’t end there. Following a failed coup attempt in Turkey in July 2016, which the Turkish government blamed on Gülen and his followers, Şükür’s situation became even more precarious.
The government seized his assets, stripped him of his wealth, and branded him an enemy of the state.
Facing arrest, Şükür fled to the United States, where he’s lived in exile ever since.
Life in Exile: From Football Star to Uber Driver
Şükür’s life in the U.S. is a far cry from his days as a football icon in Turkey. Reports suggest that he struggled financially after his assets were confiscated.
According to an interview with a German newspaper, Şükür claimed that he now makes a living as an Uber driver and selling books.
He described his life in exile as difficult, saying that strange people would visit his café, leading him to leave the business. Whether due to his fugitive status or other reasons, his life in San Francisco appears to be far from glamorous.
However, Şükür’s story doesn’t entirely add up. Despite his claims of financial hardship, images have surfaced of him driving luxury cars and shopping in high-end stores.
The true extent of his financial situation is unclear, but one thing is for sure—his life now is nothing like the life he once knew.
The Complex Legacy of Hakan Şükür
Hakan Şükür’s story is as complex as it gets. How does a football hero, loved by millions, become a political exile? The answer lies in the unpredictable nature of Turkish politics, where alliances shift, and today’s friends can become tomorrow’s enemies.
While many Turkish fans still remember Şükür for his contributions to football, his name is now rarely mentioned in public in Turkey. Even his historic achievements on the field are overshadowed by his political struggles.
His story serves as a reminder of the fine line between hero and outcast, especially in a politically charged environment like Turkey.
Şükür’s fall from grace may have little to do with his talents on the pitch, but it’s a stark reminder that being a national icon doesn’t make you immune to the forces of politics.
Conclusion
From scoring record-breaking goals for Turkey and Galatasaray to driving an Uber in exile, Hakan Şükür’s story is one of the most dramatic falls from grace in football history.
For young football fans, it’s a tale of how quickly fortunes can change, even for the most celebrated athletes.
Today, Şükür is a man caught between two worlds. He’s a Turkish football legend who cannot return to his homeland.
His journey from national treasure to political exile is a cautionary tale about the intersection of sport and politics.
What remains constant is his place in football history—Hakan Şükür will always be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play the game, even if his life off the pitch took a dramatic, unexpected turn.
