Hagi, Gheorghe

Galatasaray & Romania

Birthdate: December 5, 1965
Birthplace: Constanza, Romania
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Position: Midfielder (Center)
International: 120 caps, 34 goals
World Cups: 3 (1990, 1994, 1998)
Previous Clubs: Farul Constanza, Sportul Studentesc, Steaua Bucharest, Real Madrid, Brescia, FC Barcelona
Transfer Fee: -
Known as the ‘Maradona of the Carpathians’, Hagi is, however, a legend in his own right. Romania’s greatest-ever player has played more games and scored more goals for his country than anyone else, and though robbed of some pace, he still possesses a considerable threat, particularly with his left foot. The six-times Romanian Player of the Year played five matches at Euro 84 and Euro 96, and he played 12 matches and scored two goals at the 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cups. He made his international debut back in 1983 but was probably at the peak of his powers in the 1994 FIFA World Cup when he played a big part in Romania’s progress to the quarter-finals. After scoring with an extravagant long-distance shot against Colombia in the group stage, he struck Romania’s decisive third goal in a thrilling 3-2 second-round win against Argentina. Retired after the 1998 World Cup, only to be persuaded to return, but the player voted Romanian Player of the Century will definitely quit after Euro 2000. His club achievements have seen him win three league titles each with Steaua Bucaresti and Galatasaray SK, and a UEFA Super Cup with Steaua. His creative genius inspired Steaua, whom he joined in 1986, to the 1989 European Cup Final where they were beaten by AC Milan. He later played for Brescia Calcio in Italy and had spells with the two giants of Spanish football, Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona. He joined current club Galatasaray SK in the summer of 1997.