Rıdvan Dilmen

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Rıdvan Dilmen made his debut with Sümerspor in 1977. He transferred to Muğlaspor in exchange for 25 footballs in 1979 and then became a renowned player for Boluspor between 1980–1983. After playing for Sarıyer between 1983–1987, he signed for Fenerbahçe and fulfilled his dream. He was the main actor of the 1988–89 Turkish League season, which Fenerbahçe won the title with 103 goals in 36 matches. In the 1988–1989 season, he scored 19 goals and made 41 assists. After getting injured in 1990 against Trabzonspor by the Serbian defender Miodrag Ješić, he never fully recovered. Rıdvan failed to fulfill expectations due to consistent injuries, which required sixteen operations. He retired in 1994 after painful years of injuries. He is one of the symbol players not only for Fenerbahçe but for Turkish football also. The reason that his name is not as well-known worldwide are that he seldom had the chance to prove himself on the big international occasions. He played with Turkey, mostly in the 80s, and was a no-hoper and Fenerbahçe's status on the European club stage was scarcely different. Dilmen made 25 appearances for the Turkey national team from 1984 to 1992.

In Their Own Story

In the 1988–89 season, Rıdvan Dilmen was the main actor as Fenerbahçe won the Turkish League title with 103 goals in 36 matches. That season, he scored 19 goals and made 41 assists, a display of his immense speed with the ball and stupendous fakes. But in 1990, against Trabzonspor, Serbian defender Miodrag Ješić injured him, and Dilmen never fully recovered. Despite sixteen operations, consistent injuries ended his career; he retired in 1994 after painful years. Fans remember him as one of the symbol players for Fenerbahçe and Turkish football, though his name is not as well-known worldwide because he seldom had the chance to prove himself on big international occasions.

Reader's Guide

Rıdvan Dilmen played as an attacking midfielder or winger. He debuted with Sümerspor in 1977, moved to Muğlaspor for 25 footballs in 1979, then played for Boluspor (1980–1983) and Sarıyer (1983–1987) before joining Fenerbahçe. His peak came in the 1988–89 season, when he scored 19 goals and made 41 assists, leading Fenerbahçe to the title with 103 goals in 36 matches. After a career-ending injury in 1990 by Miodrag Ješić, he underwent sixteen operations but retired in 1994. He made 25 appearances for Turkey from 1984 to 1992. Post-playing, he managed Vanspor (1998–99, winning the Turkish Second League), Fenerbahçe (five weeks in 2000), Altay SK, Adanaspor, and Karşıyaka SK. He is now a commentator at NTV Spor, columnist at Sabah, bet guesswork writer at Fanatik, and narrator for Champions League matches on Star TV. He transferred to Sabah on 1 August 2010.

Did You Know?

• Rıdvan Dilmen was given the nickname 'Şeytan Rıdvan' ('Rıdvan the Devil') for his wits, immense speed with the ball and stupendous fakes, despite stating on numerous occasions his dislike for it.
• He transferred to Muğlaspor in 1979 in exchange for 25 footballs.
• In the 1988–89 season, he scored 19 goals and made 41 assists as Fenerbahçe won the title with 103 goals in 36 matches.
• He required sixteen operations after a 1990 injury by Serbian defender Miodrag Ješić, but never fully recovered and retired in 1994.
• Dilmen worked as a manager for Vanspor in the 1998–99 season, leading them to the Turkish Second League championship.