The King still has one more move.
Former Romanian striker Gheorghe Hagi, now 57, showed he still has the elusive „it” that made him Romania’s greatest footballer of all time in a farewell march for striker Adrian ‘the Diamond’ Mutu.
A large crowd gathered on Sunday at Cluj Arena, to salute the career of the Adrian Mutu, 43, a Romania Stars team took on a World Stars side coached by Cesare Prandelli.
The World Stars included David Trezeguet, Claude Makélélé, Luca Toni, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Riccardo Montolivo, Tomáš Ujfaluši, Fernando Couto and Alberto Gilardino, while Romania had left back Răzvan Raț (113 caps), keeper Bogdan Stelea (91 caps) and forward Ciprian Marica (25 goals in 72 caps).
But the crowd had gathered in the Transylvanian city to see the two favorite footballing stars of the past 30 years: Mutu and Hagi, Romania’s joint-leading scorers all time with 35 goals each, operating together in attack while both wearing the No. 10.
Known as much for his huge talent and well as his modesty, Hagi tried to deflect the attention from his own performance at the end of the game. „This is Adi’s match, all eyes are on him,” he told reporters.
Former Chelsea star and Netherlands international Hasselbaink, now 50, opened the scoring on the turn with a curled finish.
Romania responded when Hagi– aka ‘the King– and the oldest player on the field, took possession and split the World Stars midfield and defensive line with a ball to Mutu.
The weight on it took it straight into Mutu’s path, and the former Fiorentina striker only needed to apply the slightest of touches to put it beyond Sébastien Frey.
Hasselbaink restored the World Stars lead minutes later, and then Hagi was denied by the fingertips of Frey from 30 yards out, showing why he is ‘the King and still a player to be reckoned with.
Gilardino made it 3-1 in the second half, but Ionel Ganea pulled two back for Romania for a 3-3 draw.
