The former Turkish champion has taken refuge in California since he became persona non grata for Erdogan’s regime: “Wearing the Turkey shirt was a great pride, this doesn’t change”
The greatest gunner in the history of Türkiye is a ghost, erased from history and memory. Among the many mockeries of a life as an exile, with an arrest warrant hanging over his head, Hakan Sukur would never have thought of this: the American World Cup and his heirs with the most beloved shirt came knocking directly at his house. He took refuge about twenty miles from the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara where the Turkish national team will compete this evening. Those stands, however, are not hospitable, even dangerous, even though he received an invitation “with high security measures” to watch live the third match in LA against the United States on Friday 26 June: Hakan remains, however, an unwelcome person since he opposed President Tayyip Erdogan, of whom he was once an ally and parliamentarian. His 288 goals with Galatasaray and 51 with the national team simply no longer exist, it is useless to look for them in an almanac, since he was accused of terrorism for having been part of the movement of Fethullah Gulen, the Islamic ideologue who died in 2024 and considered the mastermind of the 2016 coup d’état attempt. Now Hakan makes ends meet with football: commentator on YouTube, individual coaching for young footballers, organizer of summer camps, while for years he managed a bakery with some partners: “I did everything, even the cleaning, but it wasn’t my job… My life, even in these conditions, is still football.”
Hakan Sukur
At the 2002 World Cup
54 years old, the Turk in Italy played for Torino, Inter and Parma with whom he won an Italian Cup
Sukur, first of all how are you?
“Thank you for asking me, it’s the best question that anyone ever asks me. My life has changed considerably over the years, I have gone through difficult periods due to circumstances that I consider unfair. I have lost, at least for the moment, many of the things I had achieved thanks to football: all my assets have been frozen. These experiences have taught me, however, the importance of two words: resilience and patience. Today my focus is on my family, on my children, on the sporting activities I follow and on the kids I try to give a contribution. Despite everything, I continue to be grateful and look to the future with hope and I fight for the truth and to reject all the accusations made against me.”
What does it feel like to have the World Cup in the host country where you live?
“The World Cup is always a special event for those who have had the privilege of playing it. The fact that it is played here makes it even more exciting for me. Naturally I will follow it with great attention, even without going to the stadium. The World Cup is not just football: it is a global celebration that unites cultures and people and does not divide them.”
What do you have left of that 2002 ride in which you finished third and you scored the fastest goal in the history of the World Cup?
“Representing Turkey in 2002 remains one of the greatest honors of my life. Every athlete dreams of seeing their country on the most important stage and my teammates and I have written a great page in Turkish history. Naturally I hope that this team reaches the same height and even beyond: my personal story does not change the love for my country and that shirt. Unfortunately, as happens in many other fields, politics also uses football for its own interests and this conditions everything. But sport belongs to the people and the national teams they should always be above individuals and governments, especially non-democratic ones.”
There were high expectations, but was the defeat against Australia a huge step backwards?
“Turkey has a talented generation with great potential. The result against Australia was unexpected, but it’s an accident: there are still six important points up for grabs and I’m sure we’ll make up for it with Paraguay. It’s been missing for 24 years, but I believe that from now on Turkey can return to being a constant presence at the World Cup.”
Which players of this generation excite you the most?
“We have many who play in important clubs, envied around the world. Hakan Calhanoglu has accumulated extraordinary experience in my Inter, he has developed exceptional leadership qualities. Arda Guler possesses creativity and a vision of the game that are out of the ordinary, but the return of Kenan Yildiz is especially decisive: he has the right personality, as well as the talent, to make an immediate difference.”
Speaking of Calha, would you advise him to stay in Milan or move to the Istanbul teams that want him?
“Decisions of this kind are deeply personal. Hakan has built an important career in Europe and has earned great respect. Each player must choose based on their sporting ambitions, family and personal happiness. The most important thing is to continue to compete in an environment where you feel motivated and appreciated.”
Do you like the identity that Montella has given?
“First of all, I have always felt close to the Italian people, I spent wonderful years with you and the fact that there is such a well-prepared Italian at the helm makes me happy. Vincenzo has almost become one of us. He is a warm and sincere person, with a great past as a footballer. In addition to the tactical aspects, he has brought organisation, serenity and a sense of family within the group. Building the identity of a national team takes time and in recent years we have seen encouraging signs. The real challenge is to be able to maintain this level even against the strongest opponents and in the World Cup there is the best. I believe in him and these guys.”
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