Lefteris Kioutsoukantoniadis was one of the greats of European football — a legend of Fenerbahçe who, despite being Greek, was adored by the Turkish public. Such was their affection that his remarkable life and career are now being brought to the screen in a new Netflix mini-series.
Older generations know him well, having watched him shine through the 1950s and ’60s, but now younger viewers will also discover his story. The series, titled “Lefter”, is being produced by the Turkish companies Taff Pictures and Ark Pictures. The younger Lefter will be portrayed by actor Erdem Kaynarca, with Can Ulkay directing.
A remarkable rise
Lefteris Antoniadis (his real surname) was born on 22 December 1924 on Prinkipo (Büyükada) to Greek parents, Christofis and Argyro, and grew up in a family of eleven children. His nickname “Kioutsouk” — meaning “small” in Turkish — was given to him because of his slight stature.
He began his footballing career at Taksim Spor, quickly catching the attention of Fenerbahçe. After a spell in Florence, he returned to the Istanbul club, where his reputation and popularity soared.
In total, he played 615 matches for Fenerbahçe and scored 423 goals between 1947 and 1964.
He also represented Turkey 50 times, captaining the national side on nine occasions. He took part in the 1948 London Olympics and played in the 1954 World Cup.
He later became the first footballer in Turkey to receive the Turkish Football Federation’s Golden Medal.
In 1964 he moved to AEK Athens, playing until the age of 39. After retiring due to injury, he worked as a coach in Egypt and later in South Africa.
He married Stavrianí Bekiári, and together they had three children.
Supporters Saved His Home
Although he had two homelands, and although he would reveal the cross he wore beneath his shirt whenever Turkey’s national anthem played, Lefter remained beloved by Fenerbahçe supporters.
But on the night of 6 September 1955, during the anti-Greek pogrom in Istanbul, he too became a target — as did many Greeks. Fenerbahçe supporters intervened immediately, protected his house and prevented serious harm, defending the man they revered above all others.
A Public Farewell
“I know that when I die, they will wrap my coffin in the red crescent, but my heart will be blue with a cross,” Lefteris Antoniadis once said.
On 13 January 2012, aged 86, Lefter — the man cherished by Turks and Greeks alike — passed away, leaving widespread sadness. His funeral was televised live by Turkish media.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended, while Patriarch Bartholomew led the memorial service.
Before the burial, his coffin was carried onto the pitch of Fenerbahçe’s stadium for one final tribute, where thousands of supporters applauded him with overwhelming emotion.
Lefter: The Story of the Ordinarius (2025)
- Runtime: 2h 6m
- Director: Can Ulkay
- Writer: Ayse Ilker Turgut
- Stars: Erdem Kaynarca – Deniz Isin – Aslihan Malbora
- More information
