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The former Romanian star wants to help Romania shine again with his commitment to youngsters.
Gheorghe Hagi is the biggest legend in Romanian football. The 58-year-old took part in three World Cups and three European Championships with the national team. In 1994 he led his country to the quarter-finals at the World Cup in the USA, where they only lost to Sweden in a penalty shoot-out. At club level, Hagi has played for Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, among others. In 2001 he ended his career and subsequently worked as a coach.
With Hagi from the 3rd league to the championship title
Hagi, also known as “Carpathian Maradona”, is still one of the defining figures in Romanian football today. For many years he has been committed to supporting young people. In 2009 he founded the Gheorghe Hagi Football Academy. From this the club Viitorul Constanta emerged.
As founder, president and coach, he led Viitorul, nicknamed “Hagi’s children” because of the numerous players from the academy, from the 3rd to the top division. In 2017, the club’s steep ascent reached its first peak with the championship title. In 2021, Viitorul merged with Farul Constanta. Under coach Hagi, the newly formed club won the championship for the first time in 2023.
Legend:
Does successful work
Gheorghe Hagi after winning the 2023 league title with Farul Constanta.
imago images/sport pictures-Razvan Pasarica
Promotion of young talent is intensified
Hagi’s great commitment to young talent has had an impact beyond the city limits of Constanta. Inspired by this, the state wants to support young footballers with 100 million euros. Among other things, Hagis Academy has a modern campus and more professional trainers. The aim is to bring Romanian football, which has been less than successful for many years, back to its former strengths.
Hagi’s commitment is already bearing fruit: With Tudor Baluta, Cristian Manea and Florinel Coman, 3 players from Hagi’s academy were in the starting line-up last Friday in the 0-0 draw against Kosovo in the European Championship qualifier. They should also play a key role against Switzerland on Monday. Along with other young players, they are expected to lead the national team to a finals again in the foreseeable future.