Hakan Balta is a retired Turkish professional footballer known for his defensive skills.
He joined Galatasaray S.K. in 2007, where he spent over a decade of his career.
Balta made his debut for the Turkey men's national football team in 2006.
Biography
Early Life
Hakan Kadir Balta was born in 1983 in Turkey and grew up to become a prominent figure in Turkish football. He began his professional career with Hertha Berlin II before moving to Manisaspor in 2003, where he honed his skills as a defender.
Career
In September 2007, Balta made a significant move to Galatasaray S.K., one of Turkey's most prestigious clubs. During his time at Galatasaray, he became known for his versatility, playing both as a centre-back and a full-back. He was instrumental in securing the 2007–08 Süper Lig title, scoring a crucial goal in the final match of the season. Balta faced challenges, including criticism for a mistake in the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League, but he rebounded in the following seasons, becoming a regular starter and a key player under manager Fatih Terim. He also served as one of the team captains, leading Galatasaray to a Super Cup victory against Fenerbahçe in 2012.
On the international stage, Balta debuted for the Turkey national team in 2006 and was a vital part of the squad during the Euro 2008 campaign, where Turkey reached the semi-finals. He continued to represent Turkey in various competitions, including the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
After retiring from professional play, Balta transitioned into coaching, taking on roles such as the Assistant Administrative Director of the Football A Team and later the Technical Director of the Galatasaray Under-19 Football Team. In 2025, he was appointed as the Assistant Coach for the Turkish National Team, marking a new chapter in his football career.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Galatasaray
He formerly played for Hertha Berlin II and Manisaspor before moving to Galatasaray in September 2007. As part of the transfer deal Galatasaray exchanged Ferhat Öztorun and loaned Aydın Yılmaz, and Anıl Karaer. In the last game of the season he scored the goal that secured the title for Galatasaray and he won 2007–08 Süper Lig with Galatasaray.
2010–11 season
He was criticised for the last minute error he made in the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League play-off match against FC Karpaty Lviv in August 2010 where Galatasaray was eliminated.
2011–12 season
2011–12 Süper Lig was a year of recovery for Galatasaray. With a new board led by newly elected president Unal Aysal, the club assigned Fatih Terim as the manager. Hakan Balta improved his performance under Terim's management and alongside his new team members. He was regular starter through the season and the only member of the last season's crew to do so. In a derby against arch-rivals Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray were trailing 2–1 when Balta scored the equaliser with a left foot volley inside the area. The result helped maintain Galatasaray's position at the top of the league along. Galatasaray won the championship.
2012–13 season
After Ayhan Akman leaving the team, Hakan became one of the team captains, and on 12 August during the 2012–13 Süper Lig match, he played as the captain as Galatasaray won the Super Cup against their rivals Fenerbahçe with a 3–2 win. He scored his first…
Having made his debut for the national side in the 1–1 friendly draw with Azerbaijan in April 2006, Hakan's services were not required again until a crucial point in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. He was called up to the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Norway and Bosnia-Herzegovina. He played the full 90 minutes of both victories, which secured Fatih Terim's side their place at Austria and Switzerland. He was a constant starter in all games during Turkey's run in Euro 2008. Turkey reached the semi-final stage with a streak of last-gasp wins. He continued to be a member of the first team also under Guus Hiddink management. He scored Turkey's consolation goal against Germany in a 3–1 defeat in UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match.
Galatasaray
Balta, who has been serving as the Assistant Administrative Director of the Football A Team as of 8 February 2022, has been appointed as the Technical Director of the Galatasaray Under-19 Football Team. July 4, 2025, It was announced by Galatasaray that they parted ways with Balta, who has been the technical director of Galatasaray Under-19 Football Team for three years.
Turkey national football team
July 4, 2025, It was announced that he was the Turkish National Team Assistant Coach.
- Club
- Manisaspor (2003–2007)
- National team
- Turkey
- Club
- Turkey men's national football team (2006–)
- Club
- Galatasaray S.K. (2007–)
Clubs
- Turkey men's national football team2006current
- Galatasaray S.K.2007current
- Manisaspor2003–2007
Played together with
Abdul Kader KeïtaGalatasaray S.K. · 2009–2010
Abdulkadir ÖzgenManisaspor · 2014–2014
Abdullah ErcanGalatasaray S.K. · 2003–2004- Abel XavierGalatasaray S.K. · 2002–2003
- Abel XavierGalatasaray S.K. · 2003–2003
Adem BüyükManisaspor · 2008–2012
Adrian IlieGalatasaray S.K. · 1996–1998- Adrian KnupGalatasaray S.K. · 1996–1997
- Adrian KnupGalatasaray S.K. · 1996–1996
Ahmed BarussoGalatasaray S.K. · 2008–2008
Ahmet ArasManisaspor · 2006–2008
Ahmet BermanGalatasaray S.K. · 1959–1965
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Hakan Kadir Balta is a retired Turkish professional footballer who played as a defender for Galatasaray in the Süper Lig. At the start of the 2018/19 season he was released from his contract after over 10 years with the club.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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