On 20 March 2025, Orkun Kökçü delivered a curling left‑footed strike in the 63rd minute of Turkey’s 2‑1 friendly win over Hungary, earning the national “Goal of the Year” award with 42 % of fan votes and cementing his status as a key playmaker for both Beşiktaş and the Turkish side.
The Goal That Captivated a Nation
Turkey led 1‑0 when Kökçü received a quick one‑two with Hakan Çalhanoğlu, cut inside on his stronger left foot, and unleashed a shot that rose over the Hungarian wall, dipped sharply, and brushed the underside of the crossbar before finding the net. The replay, shared millions of times on social platforms, highlighted the perfect blend of technique, timing, and confidence that defines Kökçü’s style.
The Turkish Football Federation’s fan poll recorded more than 250 000 responses, with Kökçü’s strike securing a decisive 42 % share, out‑scoring every other contender from the 2024‑25 season.
Kökçü’s Journey: From Feyenoord to Beşiktaş
Born in Haarlem, the Netherlands, to Turkish parents, Kökçü progressed through the Feyenoord academy and broke into the first team in 2021. After a brief stint with Benfica in 2023‑24, he transferred to Beşiktaş in the summer of 2024 for a reported €18 million, a club‑record fee.
In his debut Süper Lig season, Kökçü delivered 10 goals and 12 assists, helping Beşiktaş secure a top‑three finish and solidifying his place in the Turkish national team, where he earned his first senior cap in 2022.
Transfer Speculation and Future Options
His recent heroics have reignited speculation about a possible move abroad. European clubs are monitoring his situation, noting his contract runs until 2029 and his market value has surged. While Turkish clubs traditionally protect homegrown talent, any future deal would need to be record‑breaking to offset the loss of a player who now enjoys both domestic adulation and international recognition.
Remaining at Beşiktaş would allow Kökçü to become a club legend, lead the side in European competition, and maintain his pivotal role in the national team.
Impact on Turkey’s National Team
Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella called the strike a “statement of intent” ahead of the UEFA Euro 2028 qualifiers. Kökçü’s versatility—capable of playing as an advanced playmaker, box‑to‑box midfielder, or false nine—gives Montella valuable tactical flexibility.
Analysts see his emergence as part of a broader shift: dual‑nationality players raised in European academies are now opting for Turkey, bringing technical expertise that could move the squad toward a more possession‑oriented, creative style.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
As the summer transfer window approaches, the football world will watch two storylines converge: whether Kökçü stays the crown jewel of Beşiktaş or embarks on a new adventure abroad, and how his rising stature will influence Turkey’s ambitions on the continental stage.
In Kökçü’s own words after the goal, “I wanted to give the fans something to smile about. If this helps the team, the country, and my club, then it’s all worth it.” With 42 % of the nation agreeing, his statement could not have been truer.
