Trabzonspor needed only one solitary point to secure their first Turkish Super Lig title since 1984.
So when Antalyaspor were awarded a penalty with the scores level at 1-1 on Saturday afternoon, the captain’s armband wrapped around Ugurcan Cakir’s bicep must have weighed just that little bit heavier.
Though if the goalkeeper felt the pressure, he didn’t show it. As Cakir leapt to his left and brilliantly clawed away a fierce spot-kick, his wide eyed celebration said more than a thousand words ever could.
An hour or so later, Cakir would become the first Trabzonspor captain in nearly 40 years to thrust the Super Lig trophy into the night sky.
“We are very happy, very proud. This championship came because of them,” Cakir beams following the culmination of a remarkable campaign that Trabzonspor have dominated from start to finish, cruising nine points clear of Fenerbahce and a staggering 30 ahead of 2021 runners-up Galatasaray (Fanatik).
Trabzonspor win Turkish league
Cakir had a point. The vociferous home support certainly played their part.
But Trabzonspor’s cruise to their first domestic title in generations would not have been quite so straightforward without the cat-like reflexes of the country’s best goalkeeper, a man who’s talents deserve to be recognised outside of Turkey.
“(Clubs in) Spain and England are among those who are interested in Ugurcan,” says Necdet Cakir, the 26-year-old’s agent and brother.
“The English Premier League is the most prestigious league in the world. It is the dream of all football players to play there (and) would be nice if there was a Premier League (club who sign him).
“It is a great honour for Ugurcan to be the captain of Trabzonspor. When he completes his mission in Trabzonspor, he wants to go to Europe if he can.”
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As supporters flooded the streets, the Trabzon sky turned red by a thousand flares, Cakir could consider his mission very much accomplished. According to Fanatik, Leeds United and Newcastle have already held talks with Cakir’s agent regarding a potential £17 million switch to the Premier League.
And if this is to be Cakir’s final season at Trabzonspor, then what a way to bow out.
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