The Uncrowned King Metin Oktay's only love was Galatasaray

Metin Oktay, nicknamed the "Uncrowned King" and one of the unforgettable players of Turkish football and Galatasaray, is being commemorated on the 32nd anniversary of his death.

Born in İzmir on February 2, 1936, Metin Oktay began his football career at the age of 15 at Damlacıkspor Club. In his first team, he wore the number 8 jersey out of his love for Sait Altınordu, a symbolic figure of İzmir football, and a year later, he transferred to Yün Mensucat, where Adnan Suvari served as player-coach. Scoring 14 goals in his new jersey, Metin Oktay was called up to the Youth National Team candidate squad.

The "Uncrowned King" wore the national jersey for the first time on April 11, 1954, against Belgium, scoring 2 goals in the 4-0 victory. That same year, the young Metin Oktay transferred to İzmirspor, where he scored 17 goals and topped the goal-scoring charts at the age of 18. İzmirspor finished that season as the Local League champion.

"BABA GÜNDÜZ" BROUGHT HIM TO GALATASARAY

Metin Oktay transferred to Galatasaray in 1955 through the efforts of Gündüz Kılıç, nicknamed "Baba Gündüz" (Father Gündüz).

Gündüz Kılıç, who was scouting for new talent for Galatasaray, discovered Metin Oktay in İzmir. After returning to Istanbul, he showed how much he valued Metin Oktay by telling the yellow-red administrators, "Sell the club, buy Metin."

Baba Gündüz signed the young footballer to the yellow-red colors for 5 years in exchange for a Chevrolet brand car. Playing for the first time in a Galatasaray jersey (August 28, 1955) against Beyoğluspor, Oktay celebrated a goal in his debut match.

HE TORE THE NETS IN THE FENERBAHÇE DERBY

Metin Oktay went down in the history of Turkish football during the derby against Fenerbahçe.

The first season of the professional league in Turkey was organized in two groups. Galatasaray finished the Red Group as leaders, while Fenerbahçe finished the White Group as leaders. The final matches between the two leading teams were played at Dolmabahçe to determine the champion of the first season.

In the 37th minute of the match played on June 10, 1959, Metin Oktay bypassed Fenerbahçe's Naci Erdem and sent the ball with a powerful shot into the goal guarded by Özcan Arkoç, nicknamed "Manda" (Buffalo).

As the ball tore through the net and went out, the match's Yugoslav referee Marković initially signaled a goal kick. After the nets were checked, it was understood that the ball had torn through the net and gone out. June 10, 1959, went down in history as "the day the goal that tore the nets was scored."

HE CHOSE GALATASARAY DESPITE HIS WIFE

Metin Oktay married Oya Sarı, the daughter of the İzmirspor Club President, in İzmir on January 29, 1959.

After marrying Oya Sarı, Metin Oktay received a transfer offer from İzmirspor for a very high fee. Oya Sarı, who wanted her husband to return to İzmir, asked Metin Oktay, who rejected the transfer offer, "Me or Galatasaray?" However, Metin Oktay replied to his wife, "Galatasaray, it is more loyal."

Rejecting the 30,000 lira transfer offer from İzmirspor, which was a large sum for that day, the "Uncrowned King" stayed at the club he loved so much.

HE TURNED DOWN FENERBAHÇE'S BLANK CHECK

Metin Oktay, who did not leave Galatasaray despite his wife Oya Sarı's ultimatum, also did not give a positive response to Fenerbahçe's transfer offer.

Müslim Bağcılar, a Fenerbahçe Club executive at the time, handed a blank check to Metin Oktay when they met and asked him to write any amount he wanted. Oktay turned down the offer, replying, "Let's not upset those who love us, father."

HE TRANSFERRED TO ITALY IN 1961

Metin Oktay scored 4 goals in the match where Galatasaray defeated Fenerbahçe 5-0 at İnönü Stadium on December 18, 1960.

Due to his strong performance in Turkey, Oktay's fame spread abroad. Transferring to Italy's Palermo Club in July 1961, Oktay had difficulty adjusting to the country. Scoring 3 goals in 12 matches in the Italian League, Metin Oktay returned to Galatasaray in June 1962.

HE WORE A FENERBAHÇE JERSEY AT HIS TESTIMONIAL MATCH

Metin Oktay, who retired from football in 1969, had his testimonial match in Istanbul.

News Source: 12punto