Legends of International Football

Gheorghe Hagi

For those who grew up watching international football in the 1990s, Gheorghe Hagi needs no introduction.

This little maestro almost single-handedly kept the Romanian flag flying high during that eventful decade. For a country that desperately longed for international success, Hagi was innovative, inspirational and indispensable.

He had an eye for the spectacular and brought into the Romanian game flair and grace that had been missing from it; he led the Tricolorii as a charismatic leader and finally, when he bade goodbye to the game, his departure hit his team hard – it would take eight long years before Romania appeared at a major tournament again. It wasn’t for nothing that he was called “The Maradona of the Carpathians” – for he deserved every bit of it.

Romania saw much turbulence in the mid and late 1980s; a financial crisis gave way to a political one – the Romanian Revolution of 1989 that culminated with the execution of autocratic ruler Nicolae Ceau?escu. In those times, the footballing success of an excellent Steaua Bucharest side and the rise of a new Romanian icon was one of the only bright points for the people.

Of course, when the 18-year old Hagi lined up against Norway in 1983, nobody would have given much thought to the young debutant. But fast forward a few years, and Hagi was being heralded as an up-and-coming star. In 1984, the modest surroundings of Windsor Park in Belfast were witness to Hagi’s first international goal.

Hagi’s first major international tournament was the 1984 European Championships in France. He made a substitute appearance in Romania’s opening group game against Spain and started the last game against Germany; however, he was unable to help his country’s cause and the Tricolorii were bundled out of the tournament, having recorded just a single point.

In the six years that followed, the team underwent a period of transition. The old guard was gradually replaced by new colts and unsurprisingly, Romania failed to qualify for the 1986 World Cup and Euro ’88. But as the 1990 World Cup rolled around, there was a sense of optimism surrounding the national team, not just due to the fact they had achieved qualification for the first time since 1970, but also because Hagi had grown into one of the region’s most talented playmakers.

In the end, Romanian fans saw their team make it to the second round and lose to Ireland on penalties, but contrary to expectations, Hagi failed to deliver at the grandest stage. He was suspended for the 2-0 win against the Soviet Union. In his first-ever World Cup appearance, he was a disappointment against the Cameroonians; he was taken off after 55 minutes and ended up watching his team lose 2-1 after Roger Milla’s heroics.

It was in the last group game against Diego Maradona‘s Argentina that Hagi showed a little glimpse of his tendency to conjure magic. Picking up the ball on the right, his cheeky back-heel wrong-footed an Argentine defender and started a Romanian attack which resulted in a goal by Gavril Balint. But it was, as I mentioned, only a little glimpse. Fans would have to wait until the next World Cup in the United States in 1994 to finally witness Hagi at his majestic, imperious best.

It definitely wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that USA ’94 changed Hagi’s life. That tournament was to Hagi what Sweden ’58 was to Pele and what Mexico ’86 was to Maradona. Those who saw Hagi perform in the unbearable heat in the States that summer will vouch for that. Before USA ’94 he was only seen as a potential talent that never blossomed; after it, he became a true international star, whose exploits would become the stuff of legend that decorate the annals of Romanian football.

In the very first game against Colombia, Hagi had his name on the lips of football aficionados the world over. Colombian goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba had taken the legendary Rene Higuita’s place under the crossbar, and had come into the World Cup with some good performances in the qualifiers behind him. His début, however, turned into a nightmare in the 34th minute when Hagi scored with a chip from over 40 yards out. Yes, 40 yards – you read that right.

Outrageous? Sensational? You choose. Hagi had only started. His wonderful left foot had only just started to work its magic. After the 3-1 win over Colombia, Switzerland brought Romania down with a 4-1 thrashing; Hagi managed a consolation with another left-footed strike from outside the box. In the final group game against the hosts, Hagi delivered a masterful performance from the centre of the park as Romania won 1-0.

Three matches, three impressive individual performances; but the best was yet to come. Up next for the Romanians was the Argentine side, which was missing Diego Maradona (who failed a drug test) but still had a strong team. In the ensuing 90 minutes, one of the best matches of USA ’94 was played out and Hagi emerged as its undisputed highlight. First, he displayed the best of his footballing brain as he wonderfully set up Dumitrescu for the second goal, leaving the entire Argentine defence dumbfounded.

Hagi’s left foot did the spade work and somehow found empty space. Dumitrescu had the relatively simpler task of tapping it in. And then, Hagi got one for himself. Combining once again with Dumitrescu in a quick counterattack, Hagi scored – this time, it was his right boot that did the honours.

Having sent the Argentinians home, Hagi and Co. marched on proudly to the quarter-finals, but it would prove to be the end of the road for them. A penalty shooutout loss to Sweden meant that Romania would not go on to meet Brazil in the semifinals. Hagi had converted his penalty but could only watch in horror as Petrescu and Belodedici missed.

Despite that sad setback, Hagi still had an individual achievement to show for his efforts. He was named in the official team of the tournament alongside Romario, Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini and Dunga. After the tournament, Hagi, who had earlier played for Real Madrid, signed for their arch-rivals Barcelona.

Gheorghe Hagi

After the heights of USA ’94, Hagi turned up at France ’98 sporting a blond head, for what he said was his final tournament. On the wrong side of 30, he wasn’t the same player who had lobbed Oscar Cordoba four years prior, but his genius still remained. He captained Romania to two wins in the group stage against Colombia and England, and then a draw with Tunisia.

In the game against England, his left foot was at it again, lobbing the ball over the heads of Sol Campbell and Tony Adams, setting up Viorel Moldovan for the opener. In the Round of 16 match against Croatia, he disappointed and Romania went out, losing 0-1. It was the last the World Cup would see of this genius.

Hagi did however make a final comeback, in time to captain the team at Euro 2000. It would turn out to be an anti-climax. Picking up a yellow card each against Germany and Portugal, he missed the thrilling final group game against England when Romania triumphed 3-2.

In the quarterfinal against Italy, Hagi made his 125th appearance for his national team. In the 35th minute, with his side trailing by a Francesco Totti goal, Hagi raced through and chipped the ball over Italian keeper Toldo; unfortunately for him though, the ball thudded off the crossbar. What would have been a dream scenario did not materialise as expected and things turned took a turn for the worse when Hagi was sent off in the 59th minute. Hagi walked back to the dressing room and the rest of the team soon followed after being knocked out.

When we conduct a very objective analysis of Hagi’s international career, it may seem that for most of it, he did not impress. The World Cup of 1994 remains, on its own, Hagi’s single impressive achievement. But that in itself, is an achievement worth praising. Loads of players fail to even make it to a World Cup, despite shining at club level. Hagi made it to three World Cups and made one of them a scene of his extraordinary creative genius at work.

And when we look at it from subjective Romanian eyes, there is no doubt whatsoever about Gheorghe Hagi’s status. That 80,000 people turned up for his testimonial should say something about what he meant for his countrymen. He was the defining symbol of an impressive Tricolorii in the 90s and he truly is, as the Romanians will tell you, a legend of international football.

Watch this video from FIFA where Hagi and other members of Romania’s WC ’94 squad talk about their exploits in the States :