Article by Romeo Ene – Published on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 22:50 / Updated on Wednesday, 15 October 2025 22:51
Mihai Stoica (60 years old), the official of the FCSBconfirmed the impending split from Mihai Popescu (32 years old), the central defender who suffered a terrible injury in Romania's match with Austria. Initial announcement it had been made by the patron Gigi Becali (67 years old), a few hours ago.
His contract Popescu expires at the end of the season and will not be extended. Most likely, the central defender played on October 5, in FCSB – Universitatea Craiova 1-0, the last match in the shirt of the Romanian champion.
Mihai Popescu, OUT from FCSB: “He had surgery in Rome”
Mihai Stoica announced the fact that Mihai Popescu was operated on in Rome by Mariani, a renowned Italian orthopedic surgeon.
He would return to the field in a year, and FCSB will not extend his contract that will expire at the end of this season.
“He operated in Rome, with Professor Mariani, an octogenarian, he is still a living legend in the field. He is like Mircea Lucescu, I don't think he can stop. There was “chaos” in his knee.
A torn anterior cruciate ligament, the operation was successful. Now the recovery has already changed a lot the optics of all those who forecast when the players will return. Before it was 5-6 months, now it's 9 months, everyone is talking about 9 months.
Professor Mariani recommends a kind of protocol that brings you closer, the duration of the absence is shorter. The Americans say one year from the start.
Popescu is at the end of his contract. There is a good chance it was his last match at FCSB. Maybe if he had 57 games, not 73, he wouldn't get injured. Wear and tear… at 32 years old”, said Mihai Stoica, at Prima Sport.
Popescu played 58 matches for FCSB in all competitions. Transferred from Farul Constanța in 2024 for 250,000 euros, the footballer was also part of the national team entourage.
He has two titles in his records, with Farul and FCSB, two Supercups, with Voluntari and FCSB, a League Cup, with Dinamo, and a title in the Scottish Championship, with Heart of Midlothian.
Sporting Pitesti, ACS Berceni, Danube Calarasi, Dinamo, Voluntari, St. Mirren, Hearts, Hamilton, Farul and FCSB are the clubs for which Popescu played throughout his career.
1 million eurosit's Mihai Popescu's share, according to Transfermarkt
