Hakan Ünsal

Hakan Ünsal

Personal information
Full name	Hakan Ünsal
Date of birth	(1973-05-14) 14 May 1973
Place of birth	Sinop, Turkey
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Left wingback
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1993–1994	Karabükspor	26	(2)
1994–2002	Galatasaray	166	(11)
2002	Blackburn Rovers	8	(0)
2002–2005	Galatasaray	53	(1)
2005–2006	Çaykur Rizespor	4	(0)
Total		257	(14)
International career
1994–1995	Turkey U-21	12	(1)
1996–2004	Turkey	33	(1)
Medal record 1 FIFA World Cup || style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 2002
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Hakan Ünsal (born 14 May 1973) is a Turkish former international footballer.

Hakan Ünsal is remembered by many for his rocket left foot and his pinpoint passing as well as his ambition. He played most of his career at Galatasaray after joining from Karabükspor in 1993/94. After being a part of the squad that won the UEFA Cup in 2000, Ünsal moved to Blackburn Rovers of the English Premiership in January 2002. Blackburn had hoped to sign him in time for their upcoming appearance in the 2002 League Cup Final, however a work permit delayed his debut and he missed them lifting the cup. His return to Galatasaray was rapid as he was once again in Galatasaray colours for the 2002/03 season. After leaving Galatasaray following the 2004/05 season, he had a brief stint with Çaykur Rizespor before retiring from football.

He played for Turkey national football team and was a participant at the 2002 FIFA World Cup where he collected his third place medal.

He is most famous for an incident during the World Cup when Brazil played Turkey. Rivaldo was about to take a corner and Ünsal kicked the ball at him as he was annoyed about the time Rivaldo was taking, delaying the game, as Brazil was winning 2–1. The ball hit Rivaldo on his legs but he collapsed dramatically holding his face and consequently Ünsal was sent off and Brazil went on to win the match. Rivaldo was fined, but the sanctions were criticized by many as being too lenient.

Ünsal is also remembered for his high level of sportsmanship on the field.

Career statistics

Club	Season	League		Cup		Europe		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Karabükspor	1993–94	26	2	-	-	-	-	26	2
Galatasaray	1995–96	28	1	-	-	-	-	28	1
	1996–97	29	2	-	-	-	-	29	2
	1997-98	27	3	-	-	-	-	27	3
	1998–99	31	3	-	-	-	-	31	3
	1999–2000	16	1	-	-	8	1	16	1
	2000–01	15	1	-	-	14	2	29	3
	2001–02	8	0	-	-	-	-	8	0
	Total	154	11	0	0	22	3	154	11
Blackburn Rovers	2001–02	8	0	-	-	-	-	8	0
Galatasaray	2002–03	24	1	-	-	-	-	24	1
	2003–04	14	0	-	-	-	-	14	0
	2004–05	15	0	-	-	-	-	15	0
	Total	53	1	0	0	0	0	53	1
Çaykur Rizespor	2005–06	4	0	-	-	-	-	4	0

Honours

Galatasaray

• Süper Lig: 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2001–02
• Turkish Cup: 1995–96, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2004–05
• UEFA Cup: 1999–2000
• UEFA Super Cup: 2000

External links

• Hakan Ünsal – FIFA competition record (archived)
• Hakan Ünsal at National-Football-Teams.com
• Profile at TFF.org