Swiss footballer who played as a midfielder and scored crucial goals in the UEFA Champions League, earning him a reputation as a big-game player.
Kubilay Trkyilmaz, a Swiss former professional footballer, is best known for being the all-time joint leading goal scorer for the Switzerland national team, with an impressive 34 goals in 64 appearances between 1988 and 2001. This remarkable feat equaled the goals scored by Max Abegglen, and it wasn't until 2008 that Alexander Frei bettered this record.
Born on March 4, 1967, in Bellinzona, Ticino, Trkyilmaz began his club career with the local club Bellinzona in 1986. He later joined Servette in 1989 before making a move to the Italian club Bologna in 1990. However, it was his stint with Galatasaray of Turkey that brought him his first major success, winning the Süper Lig in his first season, 1993-1994.
Trkyilmaz's impressive form continued, and he went on to score twice against Manchester United in the next season's UEFA Champions League. In 1995, he returned to Switzerland with Grasshoppers, winning the league in 1995-1996 and 1997-1998.
Trkyilmaz made his international debut on February 2, 1988, against France in Toulouse, coming on as a 65th-minute substitute for Hans-Peter Zwicker. Switzerland lost the Tournoi de France match 2-1.
His first international goals came against Luxembourg in qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, scoring two goals on September 21, 1988, in his seventh match. Although he missed the 1994 FIFA World Cup due to a serious injury, he appeared at Euro 1996, scoring Switzerland's equalizer against England in the opening match of the tournament, a 1-1 draw at Wembley.
Trkyilmaz's final eight international matches, from 1997 to 2001, saw him score an impressive 14 times, including his first international hat-trick, against Azerbaijan in qualification for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He added another hat-trick, of three penalty kicks, on October 7, 2000, in a 5-1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Zurich against the Faroe Islands. This was the first hat-trick of its kind in the competition's history.
In his final match, on September 5, 2001, Trkyilmaz scored twice against Luxembourg away in qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Not much is known about Trkyilmaz's personal life, as he has kept it largely private. However, it is clear that his passion and dedication to the sport have made him a legend in Swiss football history.
Kubilay Trkyilmaz's impressive career has left a lasting impact on Swiss football. His goal-scoring record, which stood for over a decade, is a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport. As a family man and a devoted athlete, Trkyilmaz's legacy continues to inspire future generations of footballers.
45 Years Old
A talented Turkish midfielder who played for top clubs like Inter Milan and Newcastle United, known for his exceptional passing range and vision on the field.
50 Years Old
Turkish athlete who excelled in both football and figure skating, earning recognition for his unique dual talent.
52 Years Old
Turkish footballer and manager who played for Galatasaray and the Turkish national team, and later managed several clubs including Galatasaray and Turkey's national team. He's known for his success in Turkish football and his contributions to the sport's development in the country.
