Twenty-two years after retiring as a player, Gheorghe Hagi still lives and breathes football.
Romania’s greatest ever footballer enchanted the globe with his skills during a 19-year career, representing both Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as helping his country to the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup. His retirement coincided with Romania’s descent back into the shadows of international football; now, he’s on a mission to give his country a better future in the game.
After returning to his home city on the Black Sea coast in 2009 to found his own club, Viitorul Constanta, with an emphasis on producing young talent, he became their manager and guided them to the Romanian league title in 2017. A merger with city neighbours Farul Constanta followed in 2021, and in the 2022-23 campaign he took Farul to the domestic title, too.
FourFourTwo headed to Constanta to meet Hagi in the latter stages of that title race, sitting down to chat after he had held an analysis meeting with his staff, as he looked for every last detail in their quest for glory. “I was born to win, not just to exist,” he says with a smile.
Fortunately, the 58-year-old has done plenty of winning during his life in the game – and he’s ready to answer your questions about all of it…
Did playing barefoot when you were young help your technique later on?
Emi Banciu, via Facebook
I grew up like every kid: we played in the street a lot and spent more time outdoors than indoors. Football was a big part of my life ever since I can remember, and everything we did had an impact on who we became. Johan Cruyff was my idol. When I opened my eyes as a football fan, I fell in love with the Dutch team of the ’70s. I loved Ajax, too. I loved everything Cruyff did.
When you were only 14, you were prevented from playing for a full year – what was that like?
Mirela Stoica, Constanta
I was suspended because my dad wouldn’t allow me to go to Bucharest and join the Luceafarul development programme. He thought I was too young. I was suspended, but I could still train at my home club. I never missed training during that year, because I loved football. Nothing could stop me. I got picked again by Luceafarul and my parents let me go that time. It was an amazing feeling.
Did you really play for FC Constanta and also for Luceafarul in the second division on the same weekend? How?
Robert Balauru, Bucharest
It’s true. Games with Luceafarul were usually on Sunday mornings at 11am. My team from Constanta were playing in
