Galatasaray Crowned Champions of the Trendyol Super Lig: A Historic 25th Title

Cimbom Clinches the League with Two Games to Spare, Seals a Memorable Double

Galatasaray have once again etched their name into Turkish football history, securing their 25th Super Lig title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Bellona Kayserispor at a packed Rams Park. With just two weeks left in the 2024-25 Trendyol Super Lig season, the Lions have clinched the championship in style, making it three in a row under head coach Okan Buruk and completing a sensational domestic double.

There was a celebratory atmosphere in the stadium even before kickoff, and the home fans weren’t disappointed. From the first whistle, Galatasaray looked like a team on a mission. Victor Osimhen, the club’s marquee signing, opened the scoring in the 26th minute, capitalizing on a slick through ball before calmly slotting it past the keeper. Just three minutes later, Barıs Alper Yılmaz doubled the advantage with a clinical finish from close range, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

As the match neared its end, an unexpected hero stepped up to seal the deal. In the 89th minute, Galatasaray were awarded a penalty—and in a rare moment, goalkeeper Fernando Muslera stepped up to take it. The veteran calmly converted, bringing the scoreline to 3-0 and putting the icing on the championship cake.

Three-Peat Glory: Galatasaray’s Third Consecutive League Title

The win propelled Galatasaray to 89 points, an unassailable tally that saw them clinch the title with two games still left to play. This marks their third consecutive league championship, following triumphs in 2022-23 and 2023-24. Under Okan Buruk, they’ve now entered a golden era reminiscent of the club’s most glorious past streaks.

Back in the early 1970s, Galatasaray—then under the guidance of English manager Brian Birch—also won three titles in a row. The late 90s and early 2000s saw a similar dominance with Fatih Terim at the helm, when they famously clinched four straight league titles from 1997 to 2000. Now, with Buruk in charge, the club is experiencing yet another historic period of sustained success.

The Fifth Star: A New Milestone for Galatasaray

With this latest league crown, Galatasaray have officially reached a significant milestone in Turkish football tradition—they now wear five stars above their crest. In Turkey, every five league titles earn a club a star, and Galatasaray have become the first team to reach 25 championships, further solidifying their place at the top of the national game.

The fourth star was added back in 2015, after the club’s 20th league title. Since then, they’ve added five more in the span of just ten seasons—a remarkable feat of consistency and dominance in an increasingly competitive league.

Doubling Down: Ziraat Turkiye Kupası Also Secured

Galatasaray Counting Down the Days to 25th Super Lig Title

As if winning the league wasn’t enough, Galatasaray also claimed the Ziraat Turkiye Kupası, defeating Trabzonspor in a hard-fought final. That victory secured a domestic double—a rare and prestigious achievement in Turkish football. It’s the perfect capstone to a season where the team’s depth, tactical discipline, and star power all came together.

From the explosive forward play of Osimhen to the reliability of veterans like Kerem Akturkoglu, Torreira, and of course, Muslera, this squad showed balance and character at every turn.

Okan Buruk: Carving Out a Legendary Career

This triumph adds yet another layer to Okan Buruk’s already glittering resume. The 50-year-old tactician has now won four Super Lig titles as a manager—one with Basaksehir in 2019-20, and three straight with Galatasaray from 2022 to 2025. That puts him in elite company.

Only Fatih Terim and Gordon Milne (with Besiktas) had previously achieved the feat of winning three or more consecutive Turkish league titles as head coaches. Buruk becomes the fourth manager in Super Lig history to do so.

But Buruk’s trophy haul doesn’t end there. As a player, he was already one of the most decorated in Turkish football history, with seven league titles to his name. He’s also won the Turkish Cup five times as a player, and now twice as a manager—bringing his career cup total to seven. Combined with his league triumphs, Okan Buruk now boasts an incredible 11 major domestic titles across roles.

Muslera: The Most Decorated Player in Turkish Football History

If Buruk is building a coaching legacy, then Fernando Muslera is cementing his place as a Galatasaray icon. With his penalty goal in the title-sealing game, the Uruguayan goalkeeper added a little flair to what was already a record-breaking moment. With 19 trophies to his name since joining Galatasaray in 2011, Muslera is now the most successful player in Turkish football history, surpassing Buent Korkmaz.

His trophy cabinet includes 8 league titles, 5 Turkish Cups, and 6 Super Cups—a testament to both his longevity and quality. And despite being well into his 30s, the veteran continues to deliver at the highest level, both as a shot-stopper and a leader on and off the pitch.

Straight Into the Champions League

Galatasaray’s championship not only brings local glory—it also means direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League group stage for the upcoming season. With UEFA introducing a new league-style format in 2024-25, Galatasaray will be the first Turkish club to compete under this new structure.

It’s a golden opportunity for the Istanbul giants to test themselves against Europe’s elite and possibly add another storied chapter to their continental adventures. With momentum on their side and a squad full of confidence, they’ll head into Europe with high hopes.

What Comes Next?

While the season is winding down for most teams, for Galatasaray, the work is only beginning. Celebrations will be short-lived as planning for the next campaign begins. Will they reinforce the squad for a deeper Champions League run? Can they hold on to their key players? And perhaps the biggest question of all: can they make it four league titles in a row?

Given the current trajectory and the stability brought by Okan Buruk, few would bet against it.

Final Whistle

As the confetti settles over Rams Park and fans bask in yet another title-winning season, one thing is clear: Galatasaray are not just champions of Turkey—they are the standard-bearers of Turkish football. With a 25th league title, a fifth star, a domestic double, and a squad full of talent and experience, the Lions are roaring louder than ever.

Here’s to another chapter in Galatasaray’s ever-evolving legacy. And if this season is any indicator, the best may still be yet to come.