In the pantheon of Galatasaray legends, who is the Galatasaray player with most trophies? To many fans, the name that immediately springs to mind is Fernando Muslera — the Uruguayan goalkee. But as we’ll see, the story is richer: a past captain once held the crown, and Muslera’s dream run of silverware has redefined the record books.
In this article, HollaBall will take you on a journey through Galatasaray’s history, tallying trophies, comparing the greats, and ultimately revealing who deserves the title of most-decorated Galatasaray player. Along the way, you’ll get context, stats, and compelling narratives that bring the numbers alive.
The Stakes: What Counts as a “Trophy”?
Before crowning anyone, we must clarify what constitutes a “trophy” in Galatasaray’s official record:
- Domestic league titles (Süper Lig)
- Turkish Cup victories
- Turkish / TFF (or Türkiye) Super Cup / Turkish Super Cups
- Major continental or international competitions (if any)
- Official recognized tournaments (no minor friendlies or exhibition cups)
With that in mind, Galatasaray’s official records list a “trophies winners” ranking. The club’s own statistical pages indicate:
- Bülent Korkmaz leads with 21 major trophies.
- Fernando Muslera follows with 19 by the latest accounts.
- Other greats: Suat Kaya (17), Hakan Şükür, Okan Buruk — all in the mid-teens.
Thus, for much of Galatasaray’s history, Bülent Korkmaz was considered the Galatasaray player with most trophies. But Muslera, in a late-career sprint, has challenged and even surpassed that, especially amid retirement dynamics.
Bülent Korkmaz: The Captain, The Legend, The Barrier
A Solid Foundation of Silverware
Bülent Korkmaz is one of Galatasaray’s most iconic figures. A long-serving captain, his career from the mid-1980s to mid-2000s was decorated:
- Süper Lig titles: 8
- Turkish Cups: 6
- TFF Super Cups: 5
- -an / continental success: 1 (notably a UEFA Cup / UEFA-level achievement)
- Additional domestic super / community cups: 1
That brings his total to 21 trophies under official listings.
For decades, no one came close. Korkmaz’s role in lifting Galatasaray to domestic dominance and European respect gave him an unassailable place in the club’s folklore.
Strength of Legacy
Korkmaz’s era also spanned shifts in Turkish football. His leadership bridged generational changes, and he featured in Galatasaray’s first steps toward being a true European presence. Many viewed him less as a trophy collector and more as a standard-bearer for club identity — and yet, his trophy count suited the role.
Fernando Muslera: The Quiet Trophy Hog
Early days and move to Istanbul
Fernando Muslera, born in 1986, began at Montevideo Wanderers, moved. Over his years at Galatasaray, he evolved.
Accumulating the silverware
Over the course of his tenure, Muslera amassed:
- Süper Lig: 8 titles (2011-12, 2012-13, 2014-15, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25)
- Turkish Cup: 5 wins
- Turkish Super Cup / TFF Super Cup: 6 wins
- Other: None major beyond domestic cups
That gives a tally of 19 trophies firmly under his name.
In 2025, Muslera bid an emotional farewell to Galatasaray after 14 years, making that final push for honors. In doing so, he briefly equaled or surpassed Korkmaz’s numbers, depending on how sources count overlapping cups or “official” recognitions. ootboom1.com])
Record-breaking milestones
- Muslera became the most capped foreign player in Galatasaray history. kish Minute])
- He also set the club record for Süper Lig appearances for Galatasaray (429 league matches) by January 2025, surpassing Korkmaz.
- In his final match season, he even scored a penalty to seal a title — a poetic bookend to his legacy. edia])
Who Is the Galatasaray Player With Most Trophies — In 2025?
As of the end of the 2024–25 season, the Galatasaray player with most trophies is Fernando Muslera, with 19 major titles — though the difference with Korkmaz is thin, and some sources still list Korkmaz ahead with 21 depending on historical inclusion of certain cups.
Therefore:
- Champion in most sources: Fernando Muslera (19 trophies)
- Historic benchmark: Bülent Korkmaz (21 trophies)
Muslera’s haul is especially remarkable because many of his trophies came in an era of tougher competition, globalized rosters, and more rotation across squads. Also, his loyalty to Galatasaray and staying power gave him more opportunities to add silverware over time.
Other Trophy-Heavy Galatasaray Icons
Here are a few other Galatasaray players known for rich trophy counts — not quite at Korkmaz or Muslera levels, but still legendary:
| Player | Approximate Trophy Count* | Notable Achievements |
| Suat Kaya | ~17 | Multiple league and domestic cups, also European runs |
| Hakan Şükür | ~16–17 | Club icon, consistent trophy winners |
| Okan Buruk | ~16 | Became coach later, strong trophy haul as player |
| Arif Erdem | ~15–16 | Involved in club’s “golden decade” |
| Sabri Sarıoğlu | ~15 | One-clubbien, long service, multiple Cups & Super Cups |
* Figures based on club’s official “players with most trophies” table.
These players help illustrate how rare moving toward 20+ trophies is. For most, even across long careers, hitting double digits is an achievement; Muslera and Korkmaz stand apart.
Why Muslera’s Run Is So Special
Longevity and consistency
Few goalkeepers end their careers with such stability at a single club. Muslera’s staying power — rarely slipping into long exile periods or frequent transfers — meant he was present in dozens of title campaigns.
Era of fierce competition
The Turkish Sü, European qualification pressure — every season demands consistency. That Muslera collected trophies in that era is more impressive than accumulation under looser old structures.
Symbol beyond numbers
Fans embraced Muslera not just for what he won, but how: his leadership, penalty-take in final season, resilience after injuries, and identification with Galatasaray’s ethos. When a player’s name becomes a fixture in club identity, the trophies amplify the legend.
How Records May Shift, the race for the Galatasaray player with most trophies enters a new chapter:
- Current squad members or newcomers have work cut out to amass 15+ trophies in the time Muslera did.
- Korkmaz’s total of 21 may remain a benchmark — surpassing that would require sustained dominance over many seasons.
- The club might re-evaluate counts: inclusion of additional cups or recognized international trophies (if ever won) could shift rankings.
- Retired players are fixed; active or semi-active players now have incentive to chase that record.
Conclusion
Galatasaray player with most trophies — that crown, whisper it: belongs today to Fernando Muslera. With 19 major titles, he pushed past the old-school giant Bülent Korkmaz and cemented his legacy in Galatasaray’s pantheon.
But that doesn’t erase Korkmaz’s achievements — he remains a standard-bearer, a captain, and a legend whose 21 trophies held reign for decades. What Muslera did was refine and reshape the narrative: loyalty, longevity, consistent winning — in a tougher modern era.
HollaBall invites you: dive into Galatasaray’s trophy history, compare your favorite player’s haul, or explore how modern stars might challenge these records. The story isn’t over — and for fans who love numbers, legacy, and drama, the next chapter is waiting.
