Quick Facts
Biography
Lefter Küçükandonyadis (Greek: Λευτέρης Αντωνιάδης , Lefteris Antoniadis; 22 December 1924 – 13 January 2012) was a Turkish football player of Greek descent, who is recognized as one of the greatest footballers to play for Fenerbahçe and Turkey.
Early life and club career
Lefter was born as the son of a fisherman on the island of Büyükada in Istanbul. He grew up with ten other brothers and sisters, and was of Greek descent, his family did not take part in the mass exodus of ethnic Greeks from Turkey during his childhood. He started his footballing career in Büyükada (an island in Istanbul) but professionally played first with Taksim SK, a club based in the European sector Istanbul. He transferred to Fenerbahçe in 1947, achieving instant success. He was one of the first Turkish footballers to play abroad, playing during 1951–1953 for ACF Fiorentina in Italy and OGC Nice in France. Returning to Fenerbahçe, he won two Istanbul League titles and later, after the start of the Turkish national league, three Turkish League (1959, 1961 and 1964) championship titles. In the season 1953–1954, he was the top scorer in the Turkish league. He scored in all a total of 423 goals in 615 games for Fenerbahçe. After ending his career in Turkey in 1964, he played a single season in Greece with AEK Athens FC. He participated in five games in the 1965 season scoring two goals before an injury in the match against Iraklis forced his retirement.
National football team
Küçükandonyadis was capped 50 times for the Turkish national football team, 9 of which as the captain. He also played at the 1954 FIFA World Cup netting in 2 goals, one against West-Germany and the other against South-Korea. He scored 22 goals for the national team and was the top scorer for Turkey until overtaken by Hakan Şükür. He was the first Turkish football player to receive the "Golden Honor medal", from the Turkish Football Federation, for having played for the National Selection in 50 international matches.
After active football
Lefter coached Egaleo F.C. in Greece and Supersport United in South Africa. He later returned to Turkey and coached the clubs Samsunspor, Orduspor, Mersin Idmanyurdu and Boluspor.
He was also known as "Ordinaryüs" (professor of professors) in Turkey. His statue was built next to the Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium in 2009.
He was buried in the Greek Orthodox cemetery on his native island.
Honours
- Fenerbahçe
- Turkish Championship: 1959, 1961, 1964
- Atatürk Cup: 1964
- Istanbul Football League: 1948, 1957, 1959
- National League: 1950