Miodrag Belodedici

  1. Home
  2. Wiki

Miodrag Belodedici
Belodedici in 2018
Personal information
Date of birth (1964-05-20) 20 May 1964 (age 61)
Place of birth Socol, Romania
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position Sweeper
Youth career
1978–1981 Minerul Moldova Nouă
1981–1982 Luceafărul București
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1982–1988 Steaua București 174 (18)
1989–1992 Red Star Belgrade[a] 72 (3)
1992–1994 Valencia 49 (0)
1994–1995 Valladolid 31 (0)
1995–1996 Villarreal 16 (2)
1996–1998 Atlante 63 (2)
1998–2001 Steaua București 61 (3)
2012–2014 GVD București
Total 466 (28)
International career
1981 Romania U18 1 (0)
1983–1985 Romania U21 17 (1)
1987 Romania Olympic 3 (0)
1984–2000 Romania 55 (5)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Miodrag Belodedici (Romanian pronunciation: [beloˈdedit͡ʃʲ]; Serbian: Миодраг Белодедић, romanized: Miodrag Belodedić; born 20 May 1964) is a Romanian former professional footballer who played as a sweeper.

Nicknamed The Deer due to his elegant tackles, he spent the majority of his 19-year professional career with Steaua București (ten seasons), winning the European Cup with that team and Red Star Belgrade, thus becoming the first player (to play in the final) to win the trophy with two clubs and the only player to win the trophy with two different Eastern European teams.[2][3] Belodedici also played in Spain and Mexico.[2][4]

Belodedici won 55 caps with Romania, representing the nation in the 1994 World Cup and two European Championships.[5]

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Belodedici was born on 20 May 1964 in a family of Serbian ethnicity in the village of Socol, Romania, near the border with Yugoslavia.[2][4][6][7][8] He spoke only Serbian until elementary school, and completed his first four grades in that language.[8][9][10] In the fifth he began learning Romanian.[8][9][10] He grew up as a fan of Red Star Belgrade and Steaua București, with his idol being Ștefan Sameș.[6]

Belodedici joined the youth squad of Minerul Moldova Nouă in 1978, at the age of 14, his first coach being Olimpiu Mateescu.[6][9][10] Three years later he moved to Luceafărul București, a team created by the Romanian Football Federation for the purpose of gathering all talented young players in the country in one squad.[6][10] There, he was coached by Costică Toma and developed a close friendship with Gavril Balint and Gheorghe Hagi.[6][10][11]

Steaua București

[edit]

In the summer of 1982, Belodedici was signed by Steaua București, having been selected by the club's chairman Ion Alecsandrescu.[4][7] He made his Divizia A debut on 5 March 1983 under coach Constantin Cernăianu in a 1–0 home victory against Politehnica Iași.[4][12] He finished his first season with 17 league appearances, playing alongside his childhood idol Ștefan Sameș.[4][6][13] The team won The Double in the 1984–85 season, with Belodedici playing 25 matches and scoring three goals under coaches Florin Halagian and Emerich Jenei.[4][14][15] He also played the entire match in the 2–1 victory in the Cupa României final over Universitatea Craiova.[4][15][16] In the following season, he won the league title, scoring two goals in the 32 appearances given to him by Jenei.[4][14][15] The coach also used him in all nine games in the historical European Cup campaign.[4][15][17] In the final, he played the entire match, including extra time, in the eventual 2–0 victory after the penalty shoot-out against Barcelona.[4][7][17][18][19] After the game, he was praised by the Spanish press:"A defender so good that even if he had played for two days and two nights, he would have continued to run and always be exactly where he needed to be."[2] Belodedici started the 1986–87 season by playing all the minutes in the 1–0 win over Dynamo Kyiv in the European Super Cup and in the loss in the Intercontinental Cup with the same score against River Plate.[4][7][15][18][20] He finished the season by winning another Double with Steaua, as coaches Jenei and Anghel Iordănescu gave him 32 league appearances in which he scored five goals.[4][14][15] He also appeared the full 90 minutes in the 1–0 victory in the Cupa României final over Dinamo București.[4][15][21] In the next season, Belodedici was used by Iordănescu in 31 league games in which he scored three goals, as The Military Men won another title.[4][14] He made another continental performance with the team as they reached the semi-finals of the European Cup where they lost to Benfica, Belodedici playing eight matches in the campaign.[4][22] In the first half of the 1988–89 season, Iordănescu gave him 15 appearances in which he scored once.[4][14] Afterwards he defected from the country, but Steaua still managed to win The Double and reach the European Cup final without him.[4][15][23] During these years, Belodedici was placed three times among the top three in the Romanian Footballer of the Year ranking, finishing second in 1987.[24]

Red Star Belgrade

[edit]

In 1988, when Nicolae Ceaușescu was still in power, Belodedici defected from his home country to the neighboring Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.[2][10][25][26][27] A friend tried to persuade him to sign for Partizan, but the player insisted that he would only play for Red Star Belgrade.[18][28] Once he arrived in Belgrade, after a Red Star – Partizan derby, he contacted Dragan Džajić, the president of Red Star.[26][27][28] Džajić was initially surprised, but eventually agreed to sign him.[26][27][28] However, during his first year, Belodedici played only in friendly matches, which included a 4–1 win over his former team Steaua, as UEFA suspended him for one year.[10][25][28][29][30] The Ceaușescu regime found him guilty of treason and sentenced him to 10 years of prison in absentia, but after the 1989 Romanian Revolution, all the charges were dropped.[27][29]

In 1989, Belodedici was given the green light to play for Red Star and, soon after, became a permanent fixture on the squad.[25][10] In the 1989–90 season, he played 14 league matches and scored one goal under coach Dragoslav Šekularac as the team won The Double.[15][31] He also played the entire match in the 1–0 win over Hajduk Split in the Yugoslav Cup final.[15][32] In the following season, Belodedici won the league title, playing 34 matches and scoring once under coach Ljupko Petrović.[4][15][33] He also played in all nine games in the historical European Cup campaign.[4][15] In the final, he played the entire match, including extra time, in the 5–3 victory after the penalty shoot-out against Marseille in which Belodedici netted his spot kick.[4][7][15][18][25] Thus, he became the first player to conquer the tournament with two different clubs while playing in both finals.[2][25] Belodedici started the 1991–92 season by playing all the minutes in the 1–0 loss to Manchester United in the European Super Cup and in the 3–0 win over Colo-Colo in the Intercontinental Cup.[4][15][18][34][35] He finished the season by winning another title, as coach Vladica Popović gave him 24 appearances in which he scored once.[1][15] In 1991 he was nominated for the Ballon d'Or and finished in the 8th place.[36]

Spain and Mexico

[edit]

Belodedici signed with Valencia, making his La Liga debut on 5 September 1992 under coach Guus Hiddink in a 1–0 victory against Rayo Vallecano.[4][37] Two years later, he joined Valladolid for the 1994–95 season, totaling 80 appearances in the Spanish top-league.[4] Subsequently, he spent his last season in Spain with Villarreal in Segunda División.[4]

In 1996, Belodedici went for two years in Mexico at Atlante.[4] During his second season there, he was teammates with compatriot Ilie Dumitrescu.[38]

Return to Steaua București

[edit]

In 1998, aged 34, Belodedici returned to Steaua.[4] Under coach Jenei, he helped them win the 1998–99 Cupa României by scoring in the 90th minute for a 2–2 draw against Rapid București in the final, leading to extra time and an eventual penalty shoot-out victory.[2][4] Subsequently, he helped the team win the 2000–01 title, by playing 14 matches and scoring once under coach Victor Pițurcă.[4][14] Belodedici made his last Divizia A appearance on 7 April 2001 in a 1–1 draw against Rocar București, having a total of 235 games with 21 goals in the competition, also totaling 55 matches with one goal in European competitions.[2][4]

GVD București

[edit]

In 2012, Belodedici returned to the field, playing in the Romanian fourth league for GVD București.[39][40] The team was composed mostly of former professional football players, including Tom Cristea, Daniel Iftodi, Bogdan Andone, Silvian Dobre, and Costel Mozacu.[39][41] In 2014, 50-year-old Belodedici had an offer to play for Argeș 1953 Pitești, but the move fell through as GVD asked for a transfer fee.[42]

International career

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

Between 1981 and 1987, Belodedici made several appearances for Romania's under-18, under-21 and Olympic teams.[43]

Belodedici played 55 matches and scored five goals for Romania, making his debut on 31 July 1984 – aged 20 – under coach Mircea Lucescu in a 1–0 friendly win over China.[44][45] He played six matches and scored one goal in a 5–1 victory against Albania in the Euro 1988 qualifiers.[44] Subsequently, he played two matches during the successful 1990 World Cup qualifiers.[44] However, he missed the final tournament due to his defection to Yugoslavia.[28]

1994 World Cup

[edit]

Belodedici made eight appearances during the 1994 World Cup qualifiers.[44] In the final tournament group stage, Romania's "Golden Generation" earned victories over Colombia and the United States, then defeated Argentina 3–2 in the round of 16.[44][46][47] Subsequently, they were eliminated by Sweden after the penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals, with Belodedici missing the last spot kick.[44][46][48] He played as a starter in all five games under coach Anghel Iordănescu.[44][46]

Euro 1996 and Euro 2000

[edit]

Belodedici played seven games, scoring the opening goal in the 3–0 win over Azerbaijan during the Euro 1996 qualifiers.[44][49] In the final tournament, Iordănescu used him in both 1–0 losses to France and Bulgaria.[44][50] The team also lost the game against Spain and left the competition without earning a single point in the group stage.[50]

He was selected by coach Emerich Jenei for the Euro 2000 final tournament.[44][51] There, Belodedici played in the last group stage game, when he replaced injured captain Gheorghe Popescu in the 30th minute of the 3–2 victory against England.[44][51] Subsequently, he played the entire match in the 2–0 loss to Italy in the quarter-finals.[44][51]

Final years

[edit]

Belodedici's last two games were during the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, the final one being a 3–0 loss to Italy which took place on 7 October 2000.[44]

In 2022, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) included Belodedici in its "Romania's all-time dream team" first XI.[52]

Style of play

[edit]

Belodedici was nicknamed "Căprioara" (The Deer) due to his elegant tackles and for not receiving a red card in his entire career.[2][6] Emerich Jenei, his coach from Steaua București, described his style of play:"With him in defense, we had no fear. He was so calm and so well placed in every phase that it was difficult for the opponents to catch us off guard. An impressive player, who calmly solved every phase."[2] His former Red Star Belgrade teammate, Robert Prosinečki, said about him:"Belodedici turned the job of defender into an art! I haven't seen anyone do this except him."[2]

After retirement

[edit]
Sports hall named after Miodrag Belodedici in Socol

After ending his playing career, Belodedici spent several years coordinating national youth teams for the Romanian Football Federation.[7][15]

On 25 March 2008 he was decorated by the president of Romania, Traian Băsescu with Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" — (The Order "The Sportive Merit") class II for his part in winning the 1985–86 European Cup.[53][54] A book about him was written by Robert Popa, titled Belodedici. Românul care a triumfat de două ori în Cupa Campionilor Europeni (Belodedici. The Romanian who triumphed twice in the European Champions Cup), which was published in 2020.[55] A sports hall named after him was inaugurated in 2023 in his native Socol.[56]

Career statistics

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[44]
National team Year Apps Goals
Romania 1984 1 0
1985 0 0
1986 5 0
1987 8 3
1988 5 1
1992 5 0
1993 4 0
1994 14 1
1995 3 0
1996 4 0
2000 6 0
Total 55 5
Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Belodedici goal.
List of international goals scored by Miodrag Belodedici[44]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 4 March 1987 Ankara 19 Mayıs, Ankara, Turkey  Turkey 1–0 3–1 Friendly
2 25 March 1987 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania  Albania 4–1 5–1 Euro 1988 qualifying
3 8 April 1987 Stadionul Municipal, Brașov, Romania  Israel 2–1 3–2 Friendly
4 20 September 1988 1 Mai, Constanța, Romania  Albania 1–0 3–0 Friendly
5 6 September 1994 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania  Azerbaijan 1–0 3–0 Euro 1996 qualifying

Honours

[edit]

Steaua București

Red Star Belgrade

Individual

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ According to Red Star Belgrade's official website, he played 24 matches in the 1991–92 Yugoslav First League season and not 15, as other sources claim.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Champions 1992". Crvenazvezdafk.com. Archived from the original on 25 July 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Spectatorii admirau eleganța lui Belodedici" [Spectators admired Belodedici's elegance] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  3. ^ "Miodrag Belodedici". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak Miodrag Belodedici at RomanianSoccer.ro (in Romanian)
  5. ^ "Miodrag Belodedici – International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Belodedici, legendă GSP, dezvăluie cum se menține într-o formă de excepție: "Am mâncat mult, mult pește"" [Belodedici, GSP legend, reveals how he stays in exceptional shape: "I ate a lot, a lot of fish"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 16 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Belodedici la 50 de ani. "În 1988 am fugit din România pentru că nu mai suportam comunismul"" [Belodedici at 50. "In 1988 I fled Romania because I could no longer stand communism"] (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  8. ^ a b c Bogavac, Olivera (28 March 1990). "Miodrag Belodedić". Tempo (in Serbo-Croatian). No. 1257. p. 11.
  9. ^ a b c ""Luam gumă, blugi, adidași. Am văzut ce viață e la sârbi"" ["We bought gum, jeans, sneakers. We saw what life is like for Serbs"] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h ""Am fugit din tara din cauza lui Valentin Ceausescu"" ["I fled the country because of Valentin Ceausescu"] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 6 May 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  11. ^ "Hagi la 50 de ani. Gabi Balint: "Eu, Gică și Belo ceream mereu cameră cu trei paturi". De ce crede Balint că Ianis nu va fi niciodată ca tatăl său" [Hagi at 50. Gabi Balint: "Me, Gică and Belo always asked for a room with three beds". Why Balint believes that Ianis will never be like his father] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  12. ^ "Steaua București vs Politehnica Iasi 1-0". Labtof. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  13. ^ "Acum un an trecea în nefiinţă Ștefan Sameș, unul dintre cei mai mari" [One year ago, Ștefan Sameș, one of the greatest defenders in the history of Steaua, passed away] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "Romania National Champions". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Miodrag Belodedici: "Eu sînt cel mai titrat fotbalist român!" Tu cine crezi că e?" [Miodrag Belodedici: "I am the most titled Romanian footballer!" Who do you think he is?] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 21 January 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  16. ^ "Romanian Cup – Season 1984–1985". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  17. ^ a b "Steaua 86: Drumul spre Sevilla" [Steaua 86: The road to Seville] (in Romanian). Tikitaka.ro. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  18. ^ a b c d e "Steaua București vs. Steaua Roșie Belgrad. Miodrag Belodedici dezvăluie care echipă a fost mai bună: "Atacul, impresionant. De la mijloc în sus, numai fotbaliști mari"" [Steaua Bucharest vs. Steaua Roșie Belgrade. Miodrag Belodedici reveals which team was better: "The attack, impressive. From the middle up, only great footballers"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  19. ^ "Episodul 4: Steaua a avut 4-0 la posesie contra Barcelonei, echipa care a inventat tiki-taka!" [Episode 4: Steaua had 4-0 possession against Barcelona, the team that invented tiki-taka!] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  20. ^ "1986: Hagi catapulta o Steaua" [1986: Hagi catapults Steaua] (in Portuguese). UEFA. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
    "35 de ani de la Supercupa Europei cucerită de Steaua în fața lui Dinamo Kiev. Legendele steliste, cu gândul la situația din Ucraina:"E dureros!"" [35 years since the European Supercup won by Steaua against Dinamo Kyiv. Star legends, thinking about the situation in Ukraine:"It's painful!"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
    "Trofeu refuzat! Cum a pierdut Steaua finala Cupei Intercontinentale din decembrie '86" [Trophy refused! How Steaua lost the final of the Intercontinental Cup in December '86] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
    "33 de ani de la River Plate – Steaua 1-0! Mafia pariurilor a încercat să trucheze finala Cupei Intercontinentale din 1986 + Belodedici a ratat o maşină Toyota! Video" [33 years since River Plate – Steaua 1-0! The betting mafia tried to rig the final of the 1986 Intercontinental Cup + Belodedici missed a Toyota car! Video] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 14 December 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  21. ^ "Romanian Cup – Season 1986–1987". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  22. ^ "Meciuri memorabile: Steaua – Benfica, semifinalele Cupei Campionilor, 1987/88" [Memorable matches: Steaua - Benfica, semi-finals of the Champions Cup, 1987/88] (in Romanian). Tikitaka.ro. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
    "Meciul DE AUR al generatiei de la Sevilla! Cum a ratat Steaua finala SUPREMA cu Real Madrid. Gica Popescu a ucis visul" [The GOLDEN match of the generation from Sevilla! How Steaua missed the SUPREMA final with Real Madrid. Gica Popescu killed the dream] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  23. ^ "Episodul 5: Finala Cupei Campionilor 1989. Steaua a driblat mai mult la 0-4 cu AC Milan, dar a făcut doar 10 faulturi și a fost ucisă pe contraatac!" [Episode 5: Champions Cup Final 1989. The star dribbled more at 0-4 with AC Milan, but only committed 10 fouls and was killed on the counter-attack!] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  24. ^ a b "Romania - Player of the Year Awards". Rsssf.org. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  25. ^ a b c d e "Belodedici, primul din lume cu două trofee" [Belodedici, the first in the world with two trophies] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  26. ^ a b c "Povestea fugii lui Miodrag Belodedici din țară, cu un an înainte de Revoluție: "Am văzut oameni împușcați și bătuți de soldați"" [The story of Miodrag Belodedici's escape from the country, a year before the Revolution: "I saw people shot and beaten by soldiers"] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  27. ^ a b c d "BEZ NJEGA NE BI BILO NI BARIJA: Čovek OSUĐEN NA ROBIJU pomogao Zvezdi da postane šampion Evrope..." [WITHOUT HIM, THERE WOULDN'T BE EVEN BARRIA: A man CONDEMNED TO PRISON helped Zvezda become the champion of Europe...] (in Romanian). Sd.rs. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  28. ^ a b c d e "Reportaj EVENIMENT de ziua lui Miodrag Belodedici! FANATIK a reconstituit pas cu pas, la faţa locului, fuga din țară a fotbalistului. Belo şi-a spus povestea ascunsă: momente de necrezut" [Report EVENT on Miodrag Belodedici's birthday! FANATIK reconstructed step by step, on the spot, the footballer's escape from the country. Belo told his hidden story: unbelievable moments] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  29. ^ a b "L'Equipe publică un material despre "trădătorul" Miodrag Belodedici, condamnat la 10 ani de închisoare" [L'Equipe publishes an article about the "traitor" Miodrag Belodedici, sentenced to 10 years in prison] (in Romanian). Ziare.com. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  30. ^ "Crvena zvezda – Steaua 4-1, amical în ianuarie '90" [Crvena zvezda – Steaua 4-1, friendly in January '90] (in Romanian). Ripensia-sport-magazin.ro. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  31. ^ "Champions 1990". Crvenazvezdafk.com. Archived from the original on 25 July 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  32. ^ "Yugoslavia/Serbia (and Montenegro) – Cup Finals". RSSSF. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  33. ^ "Champions 1991". Crvenazvezdafk.com. Archived from the original on 25 July 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  34. ^ a b "Super Cup 1991". RSSSF. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  35. ^ "Intercontinental Club Cup 1991". RSSSF. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  36. ^ a b Pierrend, José Luis (1 February 2006). "European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") 1991". RSSSF. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
    "Dumitru Macri, primul fotbalist român nominalizat la Balonul de Aur! Gică Hagi, aproape de succes în 1994" [Dumitru Macri, the first Romanian footballer nominated for the Golden Ball! Gica Hagi, almost successful in 1994] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  37. ^ "Miodrag Belodedici. Primera División 1992/1993". WorldFootball. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
    "Valencia 1:0 Rayo Vallecano". WorldFootball. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  38. ^ "Doi foști colegi ai lui Ilie Dumitrescu și Belodedici, jefuiți cu pistolul la semafor! Atacatorii i-au dat jos din mașini: ce a urmat" [Two former colleagues of Ilie Dumitrescu and Belodedici, robbed at gunpoint at a traffic light! The attackers threw them out of their cars: what followed] (in Romanian). Iamsport.ro. 14 April 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  39. ^ a b "Belodedici revine în fotbal şi bate tot la 48 de ani! Fostul internaţional s-a relegitimat în Liga a 4-a" [Belodedici returns to football and still scores at 48 years old! The former international has re-established himself in the 4th League] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  40. ^ "Miodrag Belodedici duce o viata fara excese si arata la 49 de ani ca la 20:"Nu mananc paine!"" [Miodrag Belodedici lives a life without excesses and at 49 looks like he's 20: "I don't eat bread!"] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  41. ^ "Comprest GIM, după cinci ani în finala Capitalei: elevii lui Augustin Călin au dat lovitura la penaltyuri" [Comprest GIM, after five years in the Capital final: Augustin Călin's students took the penalty kicks] (in Romanian). Liga2.prosport.ro. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
    "Antrenează echipa la care a fost golgheter. Mazilu a debutat cu victorie pe banca Sportului, în Liga 4" [He coaches the team he was the top scorer for. Mazilu made his debut with a victory on the Sportului bench, in Liga 4] (in Romanian). Liga2.prosport.ro. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  42. ^ "Tolontan la Europa FM: "De aceea iubesc fotbalul. Belodedici are preţ de transfer la 50 de ani"" [Tolontan on Europa FM: "That's why I love football. Belodedici has a transfer price of 50 years"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
    "FC Argeș 1953, echipa lui Neaga și Schumi, mutată la Albota din cauza unui concurs… chinologic" [FC Argeș 1953, Neaga and Schumi's team, moved to Albota due to a dog competition...] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  43. ^ "Miodrag Belodedici profile". 11v11. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  44. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Miodrag Belodedici". European Football. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  45. ^ "Romania 1-0 China". European Football. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  46. ^ a b c ""Ei sunt jucătorii din Generația de Aur care nu driblau". Dezvăluirea făcută de Ilie Dumitrescu" ["They are the players of the Golden Generation who did not dribble." The disclosure made by Ilie Dumitrescu] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  47. ^ "VIDEO 23 de ani de când România a răpus Columbia la Mondialul din SUA. Cum a reușit Iordănescu să mobilizeze echipa în fața vedetelor sud-americane" [Video 23 years since Romania defeated Colombia at the World Cup in the USA. How Iordănescu managed to mobilize the team in front of the South American stars] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  48. ^ "EPISODUL 7: România - Suedia 2-2, 4-5 la penalty-uri. Mingea a fost a noastră, 45-24 la driblinguri, dar nu ne-a ajutat fizicul: 103-119 la dueluri" [EPISODE 7: Romania - Sweden 2-2, 4-5 on penalties. The ball was ours, 45-24 on dribbles, but our physicality did not help: 103-119 on duels] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
    "WORLD CUP USA '94 / Quarterfinals: There once was a man named Ravelli... : Sweden: Goalkeeper's performance against Romanian penalty kicks seems like the stuff of legends". Los Angeles Times. 11 July 1994. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  49. ^ "Romania 3-0 Azerbaijan". European Football. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  50. ^ a b "România la Euro 1996: am început prost, am încheiat în genunchi. Generația de Aur zdruncinată din temelii, acuze de blat și adio pentru Răducioiu" [Romania at Euro 1996: We started badly, we finished on my knees. The Golden Generation shaken from its foundations, accusations of fraud and farewell to Răducioiu] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 9 June 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
    "Cel mai valoros lot al României trimis la EURO a fost cel din 1996. Generația de Aur nu s-a ridicat la așteptări" [The most valuable squad of Romania sent to the EURO was that of 1996. The Golden Generation did not live up to expectations] (in Romanian). Euronews.ro. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  51. ^ a b c ""The Last Dance" pentru Generația de Aur. 4 meciuri de foc, singura victorie la un European + Gică Hagi, eliminat în ultimul meci pentru națională" ["The Last Dance" for the Golden Generation. 4 hot matches, the only victory in a European + Gică Hagi, eliminated in the last match for the national team] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 9 June 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  52. ^ "IFFHS men's all time Romania dream team - 164". IFFHS.com. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
    "Federația Internațională de Istorie și Statistică: "Iată cel mai tare "11" al României din istorie!"" [International Federation of History and Statistics: "Here is Romania's strongest "11" in history!"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
    "Federația Internațională de Istorie și Statistică a Fotbalului a anunțat cel mai bun "prim 11" din istoria României" [The International Federation of Football History and Statistics announced the best "first 11" in Romanian history.] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 23 April 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  53. ^ "DECRET privind conferirea Ordinului și Medaliei Meritul Sportiv" (PDF). Monitorul Oficial al României Nr. 241. 28 March 2008. p. 3. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  54. ^ "Decorarea unor personalități ale fotbalului românesc". Administrația Prezidențială. 25 March 2008. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  55. ^ "Un jurnalist clujean a lansat cartea "Belodedici. Românul care a triumfat de două ori în Cupa Campionilor Europeni" – VIDEO" [A journalist from Cluj launched the book "Belodedici. The Romanian who triumphed twice in the European Champions Cup" – VIDEO] (in Romanian). Sportulclujean.ro. 11 July 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
    "Dublu câştigător al Cupei Campionilor Europeni, Belodedici are acum o carte care îi poartă numele" [Double winner of the European Champions Cup, Belodedici now has a book named after him] (in Romanian). Orangesport.ro. 11 July 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  56. ^ "O comună din Banat își cinstește fiul care a făcut-o cunoscută în lume! Va fi inaugurată Sala de Sport "Miodrag Belodedici". Video" [A commune in Banat honors its son who made it known to the world! The "Miodrag Belodedici" Sports Hall will be inaugurated. Video] (in Romanian). Renasterea.ro. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
    "Inaugurarea sălii de sport Miodrag Belodedici la Socol! Clisura Dunării își cinstește fiul!" [The inauguration of the Miodrag Belodedici sports hall in Socol! The Danube Gorge honors its son!] (in Romanian). Reper24.ro. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  57. ^ "Intercontinental Club Cup 1986". RSSSF. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  58. ^ "Yugoslavia – List of Final Tables". RSSSF. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
[edit]