How highly do you rate Gheorghe Hagi?

A flawed genuis, very much a genius with that unbelievable left foot.

He was one of those players, you need to make the star of the team to get the most from. Like in Romania both domestically and for his NT.

He didnt do the same for Madrid or Barca because he had to be part of somethning.

Scary good talent though.

Another one of those who needed to be the King of Mice, his ego didn't allow him to play alongside others of similar level ( mentally and technically) or he simply wouldn't perform.

A player that is really dying out nowadays the only player who could be argued similar on a mental level is Ibra and even he as adapted some what.

Riquelme was another example.

Jorge Valdano

“You cannot play with Riquelme without playing for Riquelme.”

One of the most skilful players I've ever seen, but also one of the laziest.

The Franchise wrote:Jorge Valdano

“You cannot play with Riquelme without playing for Riquelme.”

That nearly won Argentina the WC in 2006. If he wasn't subbed off against Germany, they would have imo.

Description of that vid:


Gheorghe Hagi, known as "the Maradona of the Carpathians" was a genius on the field, and his ability to score from free kicks using his deadly left foot is legendary. In his hometown of Constanta, the stadium was re-named in his honor. He began playing his local side, Farul Constanta in 1982. He later joined Sportul Studentesc, in while at Sportul he was the leading scorer in the Divizia A in the 1985-86 season. He was immediately signed by Steaua Bucharest, where he went on to win the European supercup. With Steaua, Hagi led the team to three league and cup doubles. After the 1990 World Cup, he went to Real Madrid, and in 1992 joined Brescia in the Serie A. In 1994 he played for Barcelona with Gica Popescu, and he left Barcelona for Galatasaray in '96.

Hagi made his debut for the national side at the age of 18 in 1983. Since then he was been, literally, the cause of the rise of Romanian soccer in the 1990s. His playing style revolutionized the Romanian game - his speed and creativity made those famous counter-attacks possible. At 5'8" tall, wearing size five boots, Hagi is one of the more diminutive players on the field, but in terms of his impact on the game, and the status of Romanian soccer, he is larger than life. By bringing so much respect to Romanian soccer, Hagi opened up opportunities for future players, as clubs from all over Europe come to scout talent in Romania. Hagi, deservedly, was named Romanian player of the century.

1982-1983 - Farul Constanţa
1983-1987 - Sportul Studenţesc
1987-1990 - Steaua Bucharest
1990-1992 - Real Madrid
1992-1994 - Brescia Calcio
1994-1996 - FC Barcelona
1996-2001 - Galatasaray

RealGunner wrote:

The Franchise wrote:Jorge Valdano

“You cannot play with Riquelme without playing for Riquelme.”

That nearly won Argentina the WC in 2006. If he wasn't subbed off against Germany, they would have imo.

I agree, almost got Villarreal past you too if not for his missed pen.

Riquelme was magnificent, but you really have to set up many special conditions to get the best from him. In his prime it was probably worth it.

Had one of the best, if not THE best, left foot in football history. Such a legendary player.

With a higher work rate and maybe more humbleness, he could've truly been in the upper echelon of footballing greats, but he's just a tier below that I think.

i recently watched some of the higlights of the 94 world cup and hagi was amazing, he ran games