Article by Darius Stanescu – published on Thursday, June 26, 2025 22:28 / Updated Thursday, June 26, 2025 22:51
Alexandru Maxim (34 years old) the offensive midfielder of Gaziantephas now revealed, with the backstage details, why did he refuse it on Fcsb. At the end of 2012, Gigi Becali announced that he had “obtained” the services of the footballer at the time in Pandurii, but the transfer did not achieve.
In December 2012, Gigi Becali announced in the public space that Alex Maxim signed with FCSB and will receive 8,000 euros per month. A week later, Stuttgart “blows” Becali on Maxim, for the amount of 1.5 million euros.
Alex Maxim, disclosures from the backstage of discussions with FCSB in the winter of 2012: “Copile, Monday in Bucharest to sign with Steaua, live with your parents!”
Maxim revealed the discussions at that time and why he decided to refuse Becali's offer.
“In my head was to go abroad, honestly. I was flattered, FCSB had a good team, Nea Gigi, a good man, and no … his style. We didn't see each other, we only heard on the phone, I was in Piatra Neamț on vacation. We were playing well in Pandurii.
«Copile, children, living months in Bucharest to sign with Steaua, live with your parents!». I told him I appreciated a lot and I really enjoyed, I respect the star and I really liked the team. Not necessarily I was holding with her, but she had performances, I looked with appreciation for the Star's team. I was holding Balaci, he was my favorite.
I said, “You know, Nea Gigi, that I think again.” I don't want to lie, but that was my reaction. I didn't have a very long discussion. And he says “Okay, okay, come on, let me talk to Mr. Condescu.” I think they understood each other at the price, as far as I know. But I didn't want to leave, I told him I didn't want to leave.
It was something with the newcomers, I saw that all the players who arrived at that period at Steaua had a form of form, they did not have a high level evolution.
Why should I go to Steaua? We were fighting at the championship with Pandurii, I was up, in the second place, I had a fantastic team, I was with Mr. Petre Grigoraș who gave me maximum confidence, I played what I like, the problem of contract was raised, at Pandurii there were very good bonuses.
“Why should I go to Steaua? At Pandurii I played what I liked, I was doing a kettle, beautiful. It was a sensational group.”
Alex Maxim in 2012, in the shirt of Pandurii. Photo: Imago Images
It was a good family atmosphere. We were staying for 7-8 hours after training, we were making a barbecue, and I went to a colleague's wife at home, I was doing a kettle, I went to the restaurant and stayed until the evening together. It was a sensational group formed in Pandurii. Good training conditions, there were money, salaries paid up to date, beautiful bonuses.
And I said, “Why should I go to Steaua now?” Ok, it's a very big team but I need to grow up now as a footballer, I don't need to write on my CV Steaua. I can't say I refused him, the discussion interrupted there, we didn't get to talk about contracts, why do you come, why don't you come, he just took me with “See you in Bucharest on Monday!”.
I blocked me, I had no answer at that time. I wanted to go outside, I was talking to the businessman I want to go outside. I had a feeling that I can take this step, “said Alex Maxim in Podcastul Iam Ștucan.
