11.11.2026 18:03
A funeral ceremony was held in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, for Cevad Prekazi, one of Galatasaray's legendary footballers. Prekazi, who said years ago that when he died he wanted the Galatasaray and Partizan jerseys to be by his side, had his wish not forgotten. The yellow-and-red club took his jersey to Belgrade in line with the legendary footballer's request and handed it over to be used at his funeral.
A funeral ceremony was held for Cevad Prekazi, one of Galatasaray's unforgettable names, in Serbia's capital Belgrade, at the stadium of Partizan, where he wore the jersey during his playing days. A delegation on behalf of Galatasaray Club was also present at the ceremony attended by his family, relatives, loved ones, and former footballers. The most striking detail of the ceremony was that Prekazi's final wish, expressed years earlier, was fulfilled.
HIS WILL FROM YEARS AGO WAS NOT FORGOTTEN
In an interview he gave in 2016, while describing his love for Galatasaray, Prekazi had said, "When I die, this jersey and the Partizan jersey will be with me in my coffin." After the legendary footballer's death, this wish was not forgotten by the Galatasaray management.
Galatasaray Club Vice President Sedat Artukoğlu, together with board members, announced that they had brought the jersey Prekazi wore during his playing days to Belgrade.
Artukoğlu said, "We are leaving that jersey here to be used at his funeral in line with his own wish," announcing the step taken to fulfill the legendary footballer's request expressed years ago.
"THAT UNFORGETTABLE GOAL HE SCORED AGAINST MONACO IS STILL IN MEMORY"
Speaking at the ceremony, Sedat Artukoğlu stated that with Prekazi's transfer to Galatasaray in 1985, he began a journey that would leave deep marks on Turkish football history.
Artukoğlu said, "For six years he proudly wore the yellow-and-red jersey and played an important role in two of our league championships. In the years when Galatasaray began to dream big in Europe, he became one of our most important heroes. That unforgettable goal he scored against Monaco in 1989 still lives on today with its first-day excitement in the memory of millions of Galatasaray fans."
Noting that Prekazi would be remembered not only for the goals he scored and the cups he won, but also for his character and his love for Galatasaray, Artukoğlu said, "Some footballers wear a club's jersey, while others become part of that club's history."
"HE WAS MORE THAN A FOOTBALLER, A GOLDEN-HEARTED PERSON"
Turkey's Ambassador to Belgrade, İlhan Saygılı, who attended the funeral ceremony, also said he felt great sorrow over Prekazi's death. Stating that he had lost a good friend, Saygılı said, "He was a golden-hearted person beyond being a footballer. Here, he was someone who was always in close contact with me, as well as with previous ambassadors and our embassy staff."
Emphasizing that Prekazi played an important role in the development of Turkish football, Saygılı said, "In the development of Turkish football, the role of dear Cevad Prekazi in the leap experienced in the 1980s cannot be denied. He has a special place in the hearts of almost everyone in our generation."
Noting that Prekazi also contributed to strengthening friendship between Turkey and Serbia, Saygılı said, "He made us love football very much. Once you knew him closely, you would love him very much as a person. The Turkish people will not forget him. I will never forget him either."
"HE WENT TO TURKEY AND CONTINUED TO WRITE FOOTBALL HISTORY"
Partizan Club General Director and former footballer Danko Lazovic thanked the Galatasaray delegation attending the ceremony. Aleksandar Aca Trifunovic, who wore the jersey together with Prekazi at Partizan for seven seasons, recalled his former teammate's achievements and left foot.
Trifunovic said, "He went to Turkey and continued to write football history in the Galatasaray jersey. He became a legend there, and his name became a person remembered with as much respect here in Belgrade. Two great clubs, two countries, and generations of fans are saying goodbye to the same person today."
Prekazi's close friend Dejan Smiljanic also bid farewell to the legendary footballer with the words, "You were a great footballer, but what really mattered was that you were a person whom people respected. That respect you received, especially in Turkey, is not something to be forgotten."