Football News: Gheorghe Hagi’s Academy Shaping Romania’s Euro 2024 Squad
Gheorghe Hagi, Romania’s greatest player, is making a lasting impact on his country’s football landscape through his self-funded academy. As Romania prepare to face the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 last 16 on Tuesday, many of the squad owe their development to Hagi’s vision and dedication.
Dismayed by Romania’s decline in international football since his retirement, Hagi established the Gheorghe Hagi Academy with the goal of nurturing young talent. Five of Romania’s current squad are graduates of the academy, and the list of talented players emerging from this program is impressive and growing.
The Gheorghe Hagi Academy
Hagi’s academy, located in the coastal city of Constanta, has a rigorous selection process and a clear philosophy focused on developing players through time, talent, and training. The academy currently has around 600 children aged 6 to 18, with the best 11 in each age group from 13 to 18 receiving comprehensive support, including accommodation, schooling, nutrition, and medical treatment.
“The key to success is providing opportunities for talented players and nurturing their ambition and desire to become the best.” – Gheorghe Hagi
The results of Hagi’s efforts are evident. Twenty players from the academy have now represented the senior national team, and 60 graduates have featured in Romania’s top division. At the 2019 U21 European Championships, 10 players in the Romania squad were from Hagi’s academy.
Hagi’s Vision for the Future
Hagi’s vision extends beyond just producing top-level players. He has ambitious plans for the future, including the addition of more training fields, a school, and a hotel within the academy to provide the best possible environment for the development of young talents.
The academy’s success has not gone unnoticed. The Romanian Football Federation has consistently ranked the Gheorghe Hagi Academy as the best in the country, a source of immense pride for Hagi.
As Romania faces the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 last 16, the influence of Hagi’s academy is undeniable. The former maverick player has transformed into a great facilitator, ensuring that the future of Romanian football remains bright.
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