Fenerbahce vs Galatasaray: Picking a Combined XI of Intercontinental Derby Legends
Some may see Turkey as a place where footballers see out their careers, but this hasn't stopped the league playing host to some magnificent footballers - particularly Istanbul's two biggest sides, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.
The two titans of Turkish football have been at loggerheads for over 100 years, with the Intercontinental Derby widely regarded as one of the fiercest and most invigorating of its kind across the world.
Naturally, for two great sides sharing a capital city, they've had their fair share of supreme talent. Both clubs have tasted success in their nation, with the following starting XI having a major say in their respective sides lifting silverware. In no way a simple task, but here's 90min's shot at the best combined side using players from both clubs.
GK - Claudio Taffarel (Galatasaray)
His stay in Turkey may only have been three seasons long, but when you're one of the greatest goalkeepers ever to have lived, your spot in any all-time XI is all but assured.
Six trophies in three years followed for Taffarel when he moved to Galatasaray, including the club's greatest success in Europe for the 2000 UEFA Cup title. His role in that final was pivotal, keeping a clean sheet throughout the 120 minutes and scooping the man-of-the-match award.
RB - Gökhan Gönül (Fenerbahce)
Gönül made a staggering 331 outings for Fenerbahce over his nine-season stay with the club, regularly cementing his place in the Turkish national squad with consistent performances. He was part of the side that guided the club to their first ever Champions League quarter-final, where he earned the nickname 'Turkish Cafu'.
He would scored 12 goals from defence during his career before moving to Besiktas in 2016.
CB - Bülent Korkmaz (Galatasaray)
You don't get referred to as 'Great Captain' or 'The Warrior' without doing something right, and in the case of Korkmaz, he did plenty of things more than right. The central defender spent his entire career with Galatasaray, racking up an immense 610 appearances, placing him top of the pile for Super Lig outings for the club.
He also made over 100 for the Turkish national team, and lifted 29 trophies in club football. A legend indeed.
CB - Basri Dirimlili (Fenerbahce)
He may have not racked up anywhere near the amount of appearances as his defensive partner, but that hasn't stopped Dirimlili being widely regarded as one of Turkish football's greatest ever players.
A warrior both on and off the pitch, he also appeared in Turkey's first ever World Cup finals in 1954. It says enough about him when one of the few pictures readily available on the internet is a photo of him covered in blood.
LB - Cem Pamiroglu (Fenerbache)
Fenerbahce's fourth highest appearance maker was a reliable full-back who won three Turkish League titles and two Turkish Cups across 508 outings. Featuring regularly for the Turkish national side, he now managed the Under-18 and Under-19 sides of his nation.
RW - Alaattin Baydar (Fenerbahce)
In order to become a firm fan favourite, you need to show your passion, desire and commitment to the team. That goes without saying. On top of that, scoring 24 goals against your side's fiercest rivals might just work in your favour too.
In total, Baydar netted 362 goals in 324 matches for the club during his 18-year stay with the club, still ranking as the third-highest goalscorer in the club's history despite finishing up his spell at the side in 1934.
CM - Oğuz Çetin ( Fenerbahce)
One of the best distributors of the ball Turkey has ever produced, Çetin amassed over 230 games for his side, leading them to the league title in 1996.
Such was his profile across Turkey and not just with Fener, he's known as the 'Emperor' in his nation, having been a mainstay in the international side throughout his career.
CM - Naci Erdem (Fenerbahce & Galatasaray)
One of the players brave enough to cross the divide and play for both clubs, Erdem's records as a player speak for themselves. He won league titles with both clubs during the 50s and 60s for a total of five, while also scoring almost 200 goals across his career from central midfield role.
A former captain of the Turkish national team, he was part of the 1954 side who featured in their first ever World Cup finals.
LW - Hasan Şaş (Galatasaray)
Now co-assistant manager at Galatasaray, Şaş enjoyed 11 trophy-laden years with the club as a player, lifting five league titles as well as various other domestic accolades.
He formed part of Turkey's 'Golden Generation' in 2002, when they finished third in the World Cup, as well as playing a key role in securing his club side the UEFA Cup two years prior. His performances during the competition earned him a spot in the Team of the Tournament.
AM - Gheorghe Hagi (Galatasaray)
There was precious little that Hagi couldn't do with a football at his feet. While he may have been 34 by the time he moved to Turkey, his quality was still there for all to see, playing for another five years before retiring in 2001 - but not without dazzling the Super Lig during that time.
'The Commander' scored 73 goals in 192 appearances for Cimbom, earning himself a legacy among Galatasaray supporters that remains as cherished as ever.
ST - Hakan Şükür (Galatasaray)
One of the most prolific goalscorers of the modern era, it requires a fair few character alone just to list Şükür's many achievements. He won the Super Lig Golden Boot on three occasions, 14 major titles, is Turkey's top goalscorer with 51, scored the fastest World Cup goal ever and is Galatasaray's second highest goalscorer.
He would also have brief spells at Inter, Parma, Torino and Blackburn outside of Cimbom, but it is his three separate spells with the Turkish side were he made his name. And some name that is, too.