FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Gheorghe Hagi has it all. The Romanian midfielder, a veteran of more than 100 internationals, can

both score and create. In over a decade at the top, he has become the most-famous Romanian player ever. Now he is looking to bow out with success at the 1998 World Cup finals in France.

Hagi, 33, now plays for Turkish club Galatasaray after a career that has taken him to Constanta, Sportul Studensc, Steaua Bucharest, Real Madrid, Brescia and Barcelona. While he may have lost a little pace, his left foot remains as deadly as ever and he still averages a goal almost every third international.

Romania loom as one of the dark horse candidates in France after romping unbeaten through their qualifying group. It has to be remembered they made the last eight in the United States and have many of the same players on deck this time around. Hagi, occasionally used as an out-and-out striker but more often as a playmaker, is this time expected to play in the hole behind Viorel Moldovan of Coventry City and Iaon Vladiou of FC Cologne.

He will almost certainly start after scoring five goals in six appearances as Romania won nine of their 10 qualifying matches, albeit against less than stellar opposition. Opponents will need to be aware of his menace not only from free-kicks but also with inventive corners.

Whatever happens in France, Hagi has vowed the tournament will be his last hurrah.

The player nicknamed “the Maradona of the Carpathians” will defintely retire from international football after the tournament, although he will continue playing for Galatasaray for at least another season.