Gheorghe Hagi: Romania
Round reached: Last 16 / Appearances: 51 / Goals: 11
Not a tournament to remember for an unfit Hagi despite his team finishing second in Group B behind Cameroon, but ahead of Argentina. The injured No.10 missed Romania’s only win in the tournament (their opening 2-0 match against the Soviet Union) and was withdrawn after 55 minutes with the game still 0-0 in the 2-1 defeat to Cameroon.
The Maradona of the Carpathians then faced the Maradona as both sides played out a 1-1 draw which allowed both to qualify for the Last 16. Alas, just as he seemed to be returning to full fitness Romania were knocked out on penalties against the Republic of Ireland in the next round, despite Hagi converting his spot-kick in the shootout.
Although his experience was plagued by injury, Hagi’s undoubted class on the ball had already persuaded Real Madrid to sign him after the tournament. Four years later the playmaker would undoubtedly enjoy a very different World Cup.
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