Last update 24 September, 2021 by Alberto Llopis
Talk about Gica Hagi, the Maradona of the Carpathians, It is possibly the best speak Romanian player of all time. This exquisite southpaw born in 1965 He has embodied for more than 20 years of career, the quality, technical and kicking ball itself of one of the great football the last two decades.
Not in vain, It is within the list of 100 best players of all time compiled by Pele. With all of you, one of the best lefthanders that has given football.
Gica Hagi, the Maradona of the Carpathians
The career of “Maradona of the Carpathians“, as well he likes to be called in tribute to his idol, She began soon, in the year 82, where barely 17 years was signed for Farul Constanta, the team in the region where he was born.
His immense talent was not lost on anyone, and this earned him a year later to be transferred to Sport Bucarest, where it would be three years. Club in Bucharest, Hagi I was about to give hints of what was to be: 58 goals in 108 parties, they did top scorer in the Romanian league twice, besides contributing to a runner-up.
Its good performance earned him the Steaua Bucarest offered him play European Super Cup he must compete against Dynamo of Kiev. With a prominent role in the victory of the Romanian team, Hagi eventually it is signed for three years by the Steaua.
There achieved three league titles and Cup, and a final European Cup in 1989 against Milan, who lost 4-0. But the most important, It was his consecration. Gica Hagi It was already a star worldwide as testified his trophy second best player in Europe that year after Van Basten.
Participation in the World Italy 1990 and move to Real Madrid
As this emerging global figure was, Hagi was going to play in 1990 his first World, that of Italy. Romania get get round where they lost on penalties to Ireland, but mostly, Hagi, He managed to play face to face with another Maradona, the true. The World and its former role with Steua, They won him to be signed by Real Madrid.
In the white club, he 10 Romanian would have one of the most recurring problems in his career: the team reach a declining. The R. Madrid fifth Vulture I was losing ground against a Dream Team Cruyff, would end up sweeping during the early years of the 90. In that context, Hagi would fail to meet all the expectations created, despite leaving glimpses of his big left leg.
Real Madrid exit for Italy and second in USA World 94
Leaving the club merengue was to produce in 1992, where Italian would be transferred to Brescia. In Brescia achieve promotion to Serie A Calcio, but mostly shore up his fitness for the event that would mark his career: he World 94 from the United States.
In that championship he was going to see the great Hagi. For a start, mark in the initial debut against Colombia one of the goals of his career ( the great cross-shot that Colombian squad colaría). But above all, It would be his match against Argentina, which he would re-launch his career again. A goal and an assist would allow Romanians access to rooms, where They would be eliminated by Sweden, on penalties.
After passing through the Real Madrid, signing for rival, El FC Barcelona
Again, Hagi gave the jump to a big team, this time the Barcelona, and again a problem: The Dream Team was exhausted and Hagi came to rescue the fire later. How could it not be any other way?, Gica not just wake up, not their fault again. Anyway, incredible golazos as Balaidos from midfield, Hagi saved to the enormous criticism he received his teammates play.
Two years later it would Hagi signed for Galatasaray. There would end his career in the best way possible: being champion of the Turkish Super League four years, and especially winning the UEFA Cup against Arsenal and the European Supecopa of 2001 against Real Madrid.
Besides, It would be named best foreign history of the Turkish league.Nowadays, We can see another Hagi in the panorama of international football, his son and pointing ways to be followed closely.