FCBARCELONA.CAT

01.10.2009 12:45

Hagi: “Barça play the best football”

Marc Guillén / Jordi Clos

Former Barça player Gica Hagi came to Sant Joan Despí to remember old times. The Romanian said he was a fervent admirer of the football directed by his former colleague Guardiola and commented on the importance of the team staying motivated.

There was a distinguished guest at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper today. Gica Hagi, who played for Barça from 1994 to 1996, watched the players train as he took time out from a visit to the city to sort out personal issues. “I have come to see Barça because they are on tremendous form and playing very well”, he said to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat.

Playing well and winning well

The ‘Maradona of the Carpathians’ said he has managed to keep in touch because Spanish league matches are shown on TV in his country every week. He said “Barça play the best football, it’s attacking, and lots of people like that … They don’t just win, they also play well. Everyone could see that they played the best football last year and they have started this season well too”.

Praise for Guardiola

44 year old Hagi said he always enjoys paying visits to his former clubs and meeting up with old friends, such as Pep Guardiola, who he fully supports. “It was the right decision by the board. Guardiola is a local man, who knows what it all means, and also the system and has a lot of belief in the youngsters, which is essential for a club like Barça”.

The former Romania manager had advice for the winning ways to continue. “The players need to be motivated because success can go away quickly. What you did yesterday matters for nothing today. You have to show that you are the best every single day”.