Burak Yılmaz, born on July 15, 1985, in Antalya, is the son of former goalkeeper Fikret Yılmaz and former basketball player Belgin Yılmaz. His father, Fikret Yılmaz, played as a goalkeeper for Beşiktaş and Balıkesirspor throughout his career. At the time of Burak Yılmaz’s birth, he was playing for Antalyaspor. Burak Yılmaz began playing football at the age of seven, starting in Antalyaspor’s under-9 team. The foundations of his football career were laid in 2000 in the youth academy of ONVO Antalyaspor, in his hometown of Antalya.

Throughout his professional career, he played for prominent Turkish Süper Lig clubs such as Beşiktaş A.Ş., Fenerbahçe A.Ş., Trabzonspor A.Ş., and Galatasaray A.Ş. He was first called up to the national team in 2001 and made his debut the same year. Burak Yılmaz represented the Turkey senior national football team a total of 131 times, scoring 35 goals during that period. At the club level, he won a total of 15 trophies with his teams thanks to his performances. He also claimed the Süper Lig top scorer title twice.

He ended his playing career on July 1, 2023, at the Dutch club Fortuna Sittard (F. Sittard). Burak Yılmaz began his managerial career shortly after, on July 6, 2023. As of January 30, 2025, he continues to serve as the head coach of Kasımpaşa A.Ş., one of the teams in the Turkish Süper Lig.

Burak Yılmaz was born in Antalya in 1985, during the period when his father, Fikret Yılmaz, was playing for Antalyaspor. He began playing football at the age of 7 in Antalyaspor’s youth academy, taking his first steps by playing in the under-9 team. This journey evolved into a professional career in 2000 with ONVO Antalyaspor. Throughout his career, he played for several prominent clubs including Beşiktaş A.Ş., Manisaspor, Fenerbahçe A.Ş., Eskişehirspor Kulübü, Trabzonspor A.Ş., Galatasaray A.Ş., Beijing Guoan (BJ Guoan), Lille, and Fortuna Sittard (F. Sittard).

Burak Yılmaz appeared in a total of 574 official matches, contributing significantly to his teams with 271 goals and 78 assists. He recorded his first hat-trick in the Süper Lig on January 27, 2008, while playing for Manisaspor against Denizlispor. His first three-goal performance in the UEFA Champions League came during the CFR Cluj vs. Galatasaray match.

His time at Beşiktaş A.Ş. stands out with notable statistical achievements. During his spell with the black-and-white club, he scored 32 goals in 96 appearances, making him the 26th highest goal scorer in the club’s history. In the 2006–2007 season, he achieved success with Beşiktaş by winning both the Turkish Cup and the Turkish Sports Writers Association Cup.

Burak Yılmaz’s career at Trabzonspor stands out as one of his most productive periods. He scored 86 goals in 125 matches wearing the claret-blue jersey, becoming one of the highest-scoring players in the club’s history. In the 2011–2012 season, he earned the title of Süper Lig’s top scorer. He also won the Turkish Cup in the 2009–2010 season and the Turkish Super Cup in the 2010–2011 season. During this time, he participated in the UEFA Europa League and the 2011–2012 UEFA Champions League, contributing goals for his team in European competitions as well.

Continuing his success at Galatasaray A.Ş., Burak Yılmaz scored 82 goals in 141 matches during his time at the club, becoming the sixth-highest goal scorer in Galatasaray’s history. He delivered strong performances both domestically and on the international stage, representing Galatasaray in UEFA competitions as well.

After playing for the Dutch club F. Sittard, Burak Yılmaz ended his playing career on July 1, 2023, leaving behind a professional career built on strong statistics and significant achievements.

Burak Yılmaz began his international career in 2001 by representing Turkey in youth categories. He played for the national teams at U17, U18, U19, U20, U21, and A2 levels, successfully representing the crescent-star jersey across various age groups. He made his official debut for the senior national team on April 12, 2006.

Burak Yılmaz made a total of 77 appearances for the Turkey senior national football team, scoring 31 goals and making a direct impact on the national side. With this achievement, he became the second-highest goal scorer in the history of the Turkish national team. He scored his first international goal during the Belgium–Turkey match, part of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualification group stage, marking the beginning of his prolific scoring record at the international level.

One of Burak Yılmaz’s most remarkable performances for the national team came on March 24, 2021, when he scored a hat-trick in the Turkey–Netherlands match during the 2022 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers. With three goals in that game, Yılmaz stood out as one of the key figures of the national team in the tournament. His final official appearance for the national team was on March 24, 2022, in a World Cup qualifying match against Portugal.

Following the conclusion of his professional playing career, Burak Yılmaz transitioned into football management. His first coaching experience took place at Beşiktaş A.Ş., though this stint was short-lived due to unmet expectations from both sides. After this early departure, he signed a managerial contract with Süper Lig club Bellona Kayserispor on January 29, 2024. However, this tenure was also brief, ending on October 1, 2024.

As of January 30, 2025, Burak Yılmaz continues his managerial career with Kasımpaşa A.Ş. As he transitions his on-field experience into the technical side of the game, his evolving career—shaped by experiences at various clubs—positions him as a prominent representative of the new generation of young coaches in Turkish football.

Beşiktaş JK:

• Turkish Cup: 2006–2007
• Turkish Super Cup: 2006–2007

Trabzonspor:

• Turkish Cup: 2009–2010
• Turkish Super Cup: 2010–2011

Galatasaray:

• Turkish Cup: 2013–2014, 2014–2015, 2015–2016
• Turkish Super Cup: 2012–2013, 2013–2014, 2015–2016
• Süper Lig Champion: 2012–2013, 2014–2015

LOSC Lille:

• Ligue 1 Champion (France): 2020–2021
• French Super Cup: 2021–2022

National Team

• UEFA U19 European Championship participant – 2005
• FIFA U20 World Cup participant – 2005
• UEFA Euro 2016 participant
• UEFA Euro 2021 participant

• Transfermarkt Player of the Season: 2021 – France

Top Scorer (Gol Kralı):

• Süper Lig: 2011–2012
• Süper Lig: 2012–2013