Gheorghe Hagi
- Thread starter nebeer
- Start date
Trickykid
Active member
I loved watching him too, and was disappointed he didn't enjoy more success at Barça, and I know how extremely popular he still is at Galatasaray, but top ten in history? Not a chance. As arbitrary and downright impossible as such a list would be, I doubt I'd even fit him in a top 100 or perhaps 200 list.
serghei
Senior Member
I think he might make top 100. Nowhere near top 10 though, I agree. Maybe his left foot was top 10, he had a brilliant left foot.
raskolnikov
Well-known member
Hagi is a bit of a cult hero. But he definitely was really really good. He was awesome at Galatasaray.
CatalinR10
Senior Member
hagi = goat
Windhook
Well-known member
Without a single doubt in my mind the best footballer to have originated from the Balkans. I don't remember much of his Barca career, as Barca matches were rarely televised back then because Hristo Stoichkov at that time had moved to Serie A to play for Parma. But I was lucky to witness what Hagi accomplished at Galatasaray to elevate a bottom 4th CL group stage team into UEFA Cup winner and CL knockout stage contender, in 2000 and 2001, at the age of 35-36 was something beyond impossible. No one at his age could carry a team on his shoulders, not Maradona, I doubt even Messi could mantain Hagi's level when he turns 36. IMO he is one of the main catalysts for the revolution in Turkish football, arrived at the club in 1996 and by 2002 when Turkey finished 3rd at the World Cup, teammates of Hagi had improved so much. The Turkey squad had, I think, 10 Galatasaray (at that point in 2002 some of them former club players) who were the backbone of the national team.
JamDav1982
Senior Member
Maradona37
Well-known member
He was a genius, and should be rated higher than he seems to be by fans now.
L3v1s
Well-known member
I feel like Hagi is well known as I've heard even casual fans talk about him. One of the most iconic number 10s of all time. Talentwise one of the best, no doubt he is best player Romania ever had. I think he's one of the best shooters I've ever seen. He could score goals from whatever distance/angle, and his long shots were like Messi dribbling past 3-4 opponents. He was great with both feet, brilliant playmaker/free kick taker too, a classic number 10. Bit of a cult hero though like someone else said here. His career defining moment is probably the 1994 World Cup where Romania reached the Quarter finals thanks to his genius, merely losing a spot in the Semi finals on penalties against Sweden. Sweden also had a great team, featuring the likes of Tomas Brolin, an imposing Kennet Anderson up top(who also happened to score the equalizer in the 115th minute), and a young Henrik Larsson.
Had Romania reached the semi finals he would've had a chance for the Ballon D'or. I think Cruyff said he was the best in the world during that year. Talent aside, Hagi's biggest problem was that he didnt apply himself and had issues with his work rate aswell as being a conflictual figure. If I'm not mistaken, he had a fallout with Cruyff and that lead to his demise as a Barca player. Despite playing for both Spanish giants he's not seen as a club legend. His biggest achievements came at Galatasaray in his late 30s where he had a big role in the rise of Turkish football.
Some say he's even more loved in Turkey than in Romania, sort of like Maradona in Naples or Messi in Barcelona. Though he's held in high regards by Romanians aswell. He also came to prominence during the late 80s at the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe, which was a harsh period for the average folk. Hagi and the national team was a source of hope and joy for the Romanians.
Overall, I feel like he low key underachieved considering his talent, but he still remains one of the best number 10s. In todays market he'd be worth 150 million. I doubt there will be another one even close to him. His son is not even a quarter of his father, and he seems to have rather been forced to pursue a football career because he's Hagi's son. Just my impression.
I'm a bit surprised you rate him over Stoichkov @Windhook
Had Romania reached the semi finals he would've had a chance for the Ballon D'or. I think Cruyff said he was the best in the world during that year. Talent aside, Hagi's biggest problem was that he didnt apply himself and had issues with his work rate aswell as being a conflictual figure. If I'm not mistaken, he had a fallout with Cruyff and that lead to his demise as a Barca player. Despite playing for both Spanish giants he's not seen as a club legend. His biggest achievements came at Galatasaray in his late 30s where he had a big role in the rise of Turkish football.
Some say he's even more loved in Turkey than in Romania, sort of like Maradona in Naples or Messi in Barcelona. Though he's held in high regards by Romanians aswell. He also came to prominence during the late 80s at the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe, which was a harsh period for the average folk. Hagi and the national team was a source of hope and joy for the Romanians.
Overall, I feel like he low key underachieved considering his talent, but he still remains one of the best number 10s. In todays market he'd be worth 150 million. I doubt there will be another one even close to him. His son is not even a quarter of his father, and he seems to have rather been forced to pursue a football career because he's Hagi's son. Just my impression.
I'm a bit surprised you rate him over Stoichkov @Windhook
Maradona37
Well-known member
Great write up mate, enjoy your posts always.
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