PlayBeautiful

Aslan Kral Burak Yilmaz - The One And Only Lion King

“For me it’s Burak Yilmaz’s season. He’s scored too many goals. Burak is the best.” - Didier Drogba

When I see a player put on a shirt and play passionately for 90 minutes, I can’t help but fall in love with his demeanor. Someone who holds this attitude not only wants more from others, but also wants more from himself. Burak Yilmaz is the type of player who’s always trying to make an impact on the pitch. If he misses a goal, he openly shows his disappointment. Every forward recognizes their performance will be judged based on the amount of goals they score. Burak was Super Lig’s top scorer for the past two consecutive seasons and the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League Group Stage top scorer. In the league, Burak Yilmaz scored 55 goals in 75 appearances for Trabzonspor and 24 goals in 30 appearances for Galatasaray. His prolific season in the Champions League with Galatasaray made him one of only three players to score in six successive CL matches. He placed #20 on Goal.com’s Goal 50, the second Turkish international ever to do so.

He knows when to be selfish and when to be selfless.
Burak Yilmaz can play in a two-player strike force whether it’s with Johan Elmander, Umut Bulut, or Didier Drogba. Burak is able to attract defenders, yet effectively find a team-mate to get on the end of the final ball. He can drop deep, but at a moment’s notice pounce in the penalty box to finish the chance. In the second half of last season, the chemistry between Yilmaz and Drogba was undeniable. It threw defenders in for a loop. Their flexible roles allow them to be a handful for any backline, while remain unpredictable going forward.

A good forward has speed and power. A great forward couples it with intelligence.
Burak’s style is fluid, yet direct. He can time his runs just right between the centre-backs to put him in prime scoring position. Once the ball is at Burak’s feet, the true magic happens in the box. As a professional who knows how to deal with pressure, he’s in the right place at the right time. Yilmaz is predominantly right-footed, but also shoots comfortably with his left. As well as being good with both feet, he’s a fiend in the air. Burak’s killer instinct takes over when using his head on set pieces. He’s nearly at the end of every ball. His aerial ability is one of his best attributes.

Through it all he still remains humble. 
Footballers are inevitably compared to one another. Yilmaz’s fiery display of talent in last year’s Champions League had his skills matched up against Cristiano Ronaldo. Burak could only laugh it off and say, “A lot of people are comparing me to Ronaldo. However, my team-mates nor myself are making such a comparison. He is a huge star. It would be cocky to compare myself to him. He is one of the best players in the world. I am already proud to be competing with him.”

It’s subjective what you believe a top player possesses. 
Any forward can have these qualities. So why do I feel Burak Yilmaz stands out from the rest? Because he also has class.

“Burak could play for any team in the world. He is world class.” - José Mourinho