Miodrag Belodedici
Encyclopedia
Miodrag Belodedici is a Romania
n former football
player.
Nicknamed The deer
due to his elegant tackles, he won the European Cup
twice, in 1986
with Steaua Bucureşti and 1991
with Red Star Belgrade
, thus becoming the first player to win the trophy with two different clubs. Both of those clubs are from Eastern Europe, and the only Eastern European clubs that ever managed to capture the European Champions Cup.
ethnicity in the village of Socol
, near the border with Serbia
. He joined the youth squad of Minerul Moldova Nouă
in 1978, where his first coach was Olimp Mateescu. Three years later, he was selected to play for Luceafărul Bucureşti, a team formed by the Romanian Football Federation
for the purpose of gathering all talented young players in the country in one squad.
From Luceafărul, Belodedici was signed by Steaua Bucureşti, being selected by the club's chairman Ion Alecsandrescu
, after a search for an adequate sweeper. Between 1982 and 1988, Belodedici had a rewarding career with Steaua, winning the Romanian championship in 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988, the Romanian Cup
in 1985, 1987 and 1988, as well as the European Cup
in 1986
, the European Supercup in 1987
, also reaching the Champions' Cup last four in 1987–88
.
During this period, Belodedici made his debut for the Romanian national team
on 31 July 1984, a friendly 1–0 win over China
, playing in 19 games with four goals until 1992. Additionally, he became frustrated in his ambitions to play for Red Star Belgrade
, the team he supported in childhood, as the communist regime
did not allow players to transfer abroad.
regime was still in power, Belodedici defected
from his home country to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
. He later gave an account of his escape to Belgrade
: once he had seen himself in the city, Belodedici contacted the president of Red Star, but could not get through due to widespread commotion in the team over the team's defeat in the derby with Partizan Belgrade
. A Serbian friend attempted to have Belodedici agree to sign for Partizan instead, but Belodedici insisted that he would only play for Red Star. The president interrupted their conversation, and, when he realized that he was in fact the 1986 European Cup winner, he immediately signed him on the team as they were in need of a sweeper.
However, during his first year he had to play without a legal contract, and only in friendly matches, as the Romanian authorities forged his professional player contract, and UEFA
suspended him for one year on the basis of data furnished. The Ceauşescu regime found him guilty of treason
and sentenced him to ten years of prison in absentia
. After the Romanian Revolution of 1989
, all charges were dropped, and Belodedici returned to Bucharest
.
In 1989, Belodedici was given the green light to play for Red Star and, soon after, became a permanent fixture on the squad. In 1991
, he won the European Cup for the second time, scoring in the final against Olympique de Marseille
, during the penalty shoot-out. He became the first player to win the European Cup with two different clubs, by playing in both finals; as Saul Malatrasi
, played in only one of the finals.
, but signed with Valencia CF
instead, in July 1992. During the period, Belodedici was called to play for the national football team for the first time in four years.
After only two years at Valencia, Belodedici spent one season each with Real Valladolid
and Villarreal CF
(the latter then in the second division
), leaving for Mexico
in 1996 to play for Atlante FC. In 1998, he returned to Steaua, and won another Romanian championship in 2001, adding a domestic cup in 1999.
Retiring in 2001, Belodedici worked with the Romanian Football Federation
, coordinating national youth teams. As a player, he totalled 53 appearances for the country, and appeared in the 1994 FIFA World Cup
, helping the nation reach the quarterfinals, also being selected for two UEFA European Championships: 1996 and 2000.
Red Star Belgrade:
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n former football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player.
Nicknamed The deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
due to his elegant tackles, he won the European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
twice, in 1986
European Cup 1985-86
The 1985–86 European Cup was the 31st season of UEFA's premier club football tournament, the European Cup. The European Champion Clubs' Cup was won by Steaua Bucharest on penalties in a final against Barcelona...
with Steaua Bucureşti and 1991
European Cup 1990-91
The 1990–91 season of the European Cup football club tournament was won for the first time by Red Star Belgrade on penalties in the final against Marseille. This was only the second time that an Eastern European side had won the competition, after Steaua Bucureşti of Romania...
with Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions...
, thus becoming the first player to win the trophy with two different clubs. Both of those clubs are from Eastern Europe, and the only Eastern European clubs that ever managed to capture the European Champions Cup.
Early life / Career in Romania
Belodedici was born in a family of SerbianSerbs in Romania
The Romanian Serbs are an ethnic minority in Romania. According to the 2002 census, there were 22,518 Serbs in Romania or 0.1% of the population...
ethnicity in the village of Socol
Socol
Socol is a commune in Caraş-Severin County, Romania . In 2002, the population of the commune numbered 2,301 people and its population was ethnically mixed. It is composed of five villages: Baziaş, Câmpia, Pârneaura, Socol and Zlatiţa.Sokol means "hawk" in Serbian...
, near the border with Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
. He joined the youth squad of Minerul Moldova Nouă
Moldova Noua
Moldova Nouă is a town in southwestern Romania in Caraş-Severin County , in an area known as Clisura Dunării. It is located on the shores of the river Danube. In 2002, Moldova Nouă had a population of 13,917...
in 1978, where his first coach was Olimp Mateescu. Three years later, he was selected to play for Luceafărul Bucureşti, a team formed by the Romanian Football Federation
Romanian Football Federation
The Romanian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Romania. It organizes the Romania national football team and most of the Romanian football competitions. It is based in the Romanian capital city of Bucharest...
for the purpose of gathering all talented young players in the country in one squad.
From Luceafărul, Belodedici was signed by Steaua Bucureşti, being selected by the club's chairman Ion Alecsandrescu
Ion Alecsandrescu
Ion Alecsandrescu was the chairman of Steaua Bucureşti during the team's golden era, between 1985 and 1989. His nickname was Sfinxul and was recently declared as Steaua Bucharest's Man of the Century....
, after a search for an adequate sweeper. Between 1982 and 1988, Belodedici had a rewarding career with Steaua, winning the Romanian championship in 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988, the Romanian Cup
Romanian Cup
The Cupa României is a football competition which was held annually since 1933-34, except during the World War II. It is the country's main cup competition, and it is open to all clubs affiliated with FRF and the county football associations regardless of the league they belong to...
in 1985, 1987 and 1988, as well as the European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
in 1986
European Cup 1985-86
The 1985–86 European Cup was the 31st season of UEFA's premier club football tournament, the European Cup. The European Champion Clubs' Cup was won by Steaua Bucharest on penalties in a final against Barcelona...
, the European Supercup in 1987
1987 UEFA Super Cup
The 1987 UEFA Super Cup was played between FC Porto and AFC Ajax, with Porto winning 2–0.- First leg:- Second leg:Porto won 2–0 on aggregate.-External links:* from UEFA* from RSSSF...
, also reaching the Champions' Cup last four in 1987–88
European Cup 1987-88
The season 1987–88 of the European Cup football club tournament was won for the first time by PSV on penalties in the final against two-times winners Benfica...
.
During this period, Belodedici made his debut for the Romanian national team
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
on 31 July 1984, a friendly 1–0 win over China
China national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
, playing in 19 games with four goals until 1992. Additionally, he became frustrated in his ambitions to play for Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions...
, the team he supported in childhood, as the communist regime
Communist Romania
Communist Romania was the period in Romanian history when that country was a Soviet-aligned communist state in the Eastern Bloc, with the dominant role of Romanian Communist Party enshrined in its successive constitutions...
did not allow players to transfer abroad.
Career in Yugoslavia
In 1988, when the Nicolae CeauşescuNicolae Ceausescu
Nicolae Ceaușescu was a Romanian Communist politician. He was General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party from 1965 to 1989, and as such was the country's second and last Communist leader...
regime was still in power, Belodedici defected
Defection
In politics, a defector is a person who gives up allegiance to one state or political entity in exchange for allegiance to another. More broadly, it involves abandoning a person, cause or doctrine to whom or to which one is bound by some tie, as of allegiance or duty.This term is also applied,...
from his home country to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
. He later gave an account of his escape to Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
: once he had seen himself in the city, Belodedici contacted the president of Red Star, but could not get through due to widespread commotion in the team over the team's defeat in the derby with Partizan Belgrade
FK Partizan
Fudbalski klub Partizan is a professional football club based in Belgrade, Serbia. In its long history, FK Partizan won as many as 37 trophies. The club is the holder of 23 national championships, 12 national cups and 1 national supercup, and has also won the Mitropa Cup in 1978...
. A Serbian friend attempted to have Belodedici agree to sign for Partizan instead, but Belodedici insisted that he would only play for Red Star. The president interrupted their conversation, and, when he realized that he was in fact the 1986 European Cup winner, he immediately signed him on the team as they were in need of a sweeper.
However, during his first year he had to play without a legal contract, and only in friendly matches, as the Romanian authorities forged his professional player contract, and UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
suspended him for one year on the basis of data furnished. The Ceauşescu regime found him guilty of treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
and sentenced him to ten years of prison in absentia
In absentia
In absentia is Latin for "in the absence". In legal use, it usually means a trial at which the defendant is not physically present. The phrase is not ordinarily a mere observation, but suggests recognition of violation to a defendant's right to be present in court proceedings in a criminal trial.In...
. After the Romanian Revolution of 1989
Romanian Revolution of 1989
The Romanian Revolution of 1989 was a series of riots and clashes in December 1989. These were part of the Revolutions of 1989 that occurred in several Warsaw Pact countries...
, all charges were dropped, and Belodedici returned to Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
.
In 1989, Belodedici was given the green light to play for Red Star and, soon after, became a permanent fixture on the squad. In 1991
European Cup 1990-91
The 1990–91 season of the European Cup football club tournament was won for the first time by Red Star Belgrade on penalties in the final against Marseille. This was only the second time that an Eastern European side had won the competition, after Steaua Bucureşti of Romania...
, he won the European Cup for the second time, scoring in the final against Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
, during the penalty shoot-out. He became the first player to win the European Cup with two different clubs, by playing in both finals; as Saul Malatrasi
Saul Malatrasi
Saul Malatrasi is a former Italian football player and coach who played for Inter Milan and A.C. Milan and was part of their European Cup victories in 1965 and 1969 respectively, thus becoming the first player to participate in the European Cup campaigns of two different winning teams...
, played in only one of the finals.
Final years
After a second European conquest, important European football clubs showed a keen interest to sign Belodedici, and he was sought after by U.C. SampdoriaU.C. Sampdoria
Unione Calcio Sampdoria is an Italian association football club based in Genoa. The club was formed in 1946 from the merger of two existing sports clubs whose roots can be traced back to the 1890s, Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria...
, but signed with Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
instead, in July 1992. During the period, Belodedici was called to play for the national football team for the first time in four years.
After only two years at Valencia, Belodedici spent one season each with Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
and Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
(the latter then in the second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
), leaving for Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in 1996 to play for Atlante FC. In 1998, he returned to Steaua, and won another Romanian championship in 2001, adding a domestic cup in 1999.
Retiring in 2001, Belodedici worked with the Romanian Football Federation
Romanian Football Federation
The Romanian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Romania. It organizes the Romania national football team and most of the Romanian football competitions. It is based in the Romanian capital city of Bucharest...
, coordinating national youth teams. As a player, he totalled 53 appearances for the country, and appeared in the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
, helping the nation reach the quarterfinals, also being selected for two UEFA European Championships: 1996 and 2000.
International goals
- Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first. "Score" column indicates the score after the player's goal.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 March 1987 | Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium Ankara 19 Mayis Stadium Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium is the home venue for three of Ankara's Süper Lig football clubs: Ankaragücü, Gençlerbirliği and Hacettepe. It was built in 1935 and is part of the 19 Mayıs Sports Complex, which is located in the Ulus district. The stadium has a capacity of 19,209... , Ankara Ankara Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of , and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million.... , Turkey Turkey Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe... |
1–0 | 3–1 | Friendly | |
| 2 | 25 March 1987 | Stadionul Ghencea, Bucharest Bucharest Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River.... , Romania Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea... |
4–1 | 5–1 | UEFA Euro 1988 Qualifying | |
| 3 | 8 April 1987 | Stadionul Municipal Stadionul Municipal (Brasov, old) Municipal Stadium was a multi-use stadium in Braşov, Romania. It was used mostly for football matches, different teams from Braşov having played on it. The stadium had a capacity of 30,000 people.... , Braşov Brasov Brașov is a city in Romania and the capital of Brașov County.According to the last Romanian census, from 2002, there were 284,596 people living within the city of Brașov, making it the 8th most populated city in Romania.... , Romania Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea... |
2–1 | 3–2 | Friendly | |
| 4 | 20 September 1988 | Stadionul 1 Mai Stadionul Portul Portul Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Constanţa. It is the home ground of Portul Constanţa. It holds 10,000 people.... , Constanţa Constanta Constanța is the oldest extant city in Romania, founded around 600 BC. The city is located in the Dobruja region of Romania, on the Black Sea coast. It is the capital of Constanța County and the largest city in the region.... , Romania Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea... |
1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly | |
| 5 | 6 September 1994 | Stadionul Ghencea, Bucharest, Romania | 1–0 | 3–0 | UEFA Euro 1996 Qualifying |
Honours
Steaua Bucureşti:- European CupUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 1985–86 - European Supercup: 19861986 UEFA Super CupThe 1986 UEFA Super Cup was played between FC Steaua Bucureşti and FC Dynamo Kyiv, with Steaua winning 1–0.-Match details:-External links:*...
- Romanian League: 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 2000–01
- Romanian CupRomanian CupThe Cupa României is a football competition which was held annually since 1933-34, except during the World War II. It is the country's main cup competition, and it is open to all clubs affiliated with FRF and the county football associations regardless of the league they belong to...
: 1984–85, 1986–87, 1998–991999 Cupa României FinalThe 1999 Cupa României Final was the 61st final of Romania's most prestigious cup competition. The final was played at the Stadionul Naţional in Bucharest on 16 June 1999 and was contested between Divizia A sides Steaua Bucureşti and Rapid Bucureşti. The cup was won by Steaua on penalties.-Match...
Red Star Belgrade:
- European CupUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 1990–91 - Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
: 19911991 Intercontinental CupThe 1991 Intercontinental Cup was a football match played on 8 December 1991 between Red Star of Yugoslavia, winners of the 1990–91 European Cup, and Colo-Colo of Chile, winners of the 1991 Copa Libertadores. The match was played at the neutral venue of the National Stadium in Tokyo in front of... - Yugoslav LeagueYugoslav First LeagueThe Yugoslav First League was the premier football league in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and socialist Yugoslavia...
: 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92 - Yugoslav CupYugoslav CupThe Yugoslav Cup, officially the Marshal Tito Cup, was one of two major football competitions in the former Yugoslavia, the other one being the Yugoslav League Championship. The Yugoslav Cup took place after the league championships when every competitive league in Yugoslavia had finished, in order...
: 1989–90
External links
- Miodrag Belodedici at Romanian Soccer
- Miodrag Belodedici at National-Football-Teams.com
- BDFutbol profile