Anyone who came of age in the 80s and 90s knows the name: Gheorghe Hagi. Nicknamed “Maradona of the Carpathians,” the Romanian icon was good enough to play for both Real Madrid and Barcelona while retiring as his country’s all-time leading goal scorer. His son has been on the soccer radar since joining Fiorentina at the age of 17, and on Friday the Ianis Hagi goal vs Germany showed this youngster has a touch of his father’s abilities in him.
Currently an attacking midfielder for Rangers, Hagi, 22, started in Romania’s World Cup qualifier against Germany on Friday, his 21st cap. He scored his first senior international goal earlier this year, a winner against North Macedonia in World Cup qualifying.
His second might be a bit more memorable.
Hagi received a pass just inside his own half before going full Maradona (or Gheorghe Hagi, I guess), nutmegging Antonio Rüdiger on his way to a stunning solo goal.
Ianis Hagi Goal vs Germany
RIP Rüdiger.
If you thought Mohamed Salah’s goal was great on the weekend, this is even better.
Ianis Hagi made Rüdiger, a Champions League winner with Chelsea, look like Jerome Boateng defending Lionel Messi.
The Ianis Hagi goal vs Germany gave Romania a 1-0 lead at halftime. Germany has already lost at home to North Macedonia this qualifying cycle.
