FACTFILE
|
Born: |
5 Feb 1965 |
Caps: |
125 |
Goals: |
34 |
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WORLD
CUP FACTFILE
|
Participated
1990, 1994, 1998
Games/Goals
12/3
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Gheorghe
Hagi
(Romania)
Born in Sacele,
Gheorge Hagi's, outstanding talent was discovered quickly and after playing for Farul
Constanza and Sportul Bucharest for a short period of time, he was transferred to Steaua
Bucharest in 1987. In Romania’s premier club, he won the league and cup double three
years in a row. Hagi was a very skillful and creative player and very often did unpredictable
things with the ball.
Gheorghe played in his first World Cup in Italy in 1990.
Although he displayed a few flashes of brilliance in some games, that year was not going to be
his best. Romania bowed out in the second round after losing to Ireland on penalties. Hagi
was at the peak of his career by the time of the World Cup four years later in America, and
he showed the world what he was capable of doing. He was the best player of the
tournament alongside the likes of Romario and Roberto Baggio. He also found the net three
times in that World Cup with one of them being a wonderful 40 yard lob against Colombia.
However, once again penalties stood between Romania and further advancement as
Sweden won in the quarterfinal.
Hagi played for Real Madrid, Barcelona and Brescia with
variable success and never quite unleashed his true potential at clublevel abroad. He struggled
with disciplinary problems on the field and was suspended several times. When Romania
qualified for the World Cup in 1998, he said it would be his last tournament. Romania
reached the second round and lost 1-0 with the goal scored...yes, from a penalty. He made
a come-back prior to Euro 2000 and got sent off in his 125th and last match for Romania in
the quarterfinal against Italy. Hagi spent the final stages of his career in the Turkish league for Galatasaray where
he had success winning the UEFA Cup and played some of his best soccer at clublevel ever.
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