The former glories of the “dogs” try in vain to interact with Cornel Dinu (77 years old)who isolated himself from the rest of the world. Ionel Augustin, another former great footballer of the red-whites, told how he conquered Mister, as a footballer, and what attempts he recently had to bring the legendary Dynamo player out of depression
Dynamo's glories gathered today, at a restaurant in the center of the Capital, to reminisce about the years of international success that the “dogs” gathered in major European competitions.
Dinamo's 1983/1984 generation, which reached the CCE semi-finals after knocking out Hamburg (the trophy holder), gathered for an agape, as it has been accustomed to in recent years.
Those who were in Bucharest honored the invitation. Not Cornel Dinu, 77, the living legend of Dynamo football, who has been struggling with depression for too long.
Cornel Dinu doesn't leave the house anymore, he avoids the world
Mister hasn't left his villa for over a year. At most, he was accompanied to the hospital, when he urgently needed specialized help. Despite the attempts of those close to him, the former great footballer distanced himself from everything and everyone. He occasionally answers the phone, devotes time to personal writings, to his granddaughter, Natalia, otherwise avoids interactions, including with former colleagues, collaborators.
Dynamovists sent him countless invitations, to meetings, events, he was also offered the opportunity to advise Cristi Borcea (again), everything was doomed to failure. He was also invited to the “Dinamo 1984 generation” party, but refused to go out.
Ionel Augustin, 70 years old, is among those who arrive at Mister's gate, in front of the house next to Romanian Television, he exchanges a few words with Cornel Dinu, who is on the balcony, and that's all.
Ionel Augustin, revelations about Cornel Dinu: “He answered my phone before, then he rejects us, he doesn't even want us to see him”
“I tried to convince Cornel Dinu to come, but… He rejects us, he doesn't even want us to see him anymore. It's a shame, great efforts were made. He answered my phone before, but then “leave me alone!”, he swears at us (smiles)… In his own way…
He was the idol of my life, as a footballer, in every way. I took him as an example. To make you a revelation. When I was taken from youth to train with the big team, at miuta, everyone was afraid of Cornel Dinu. That he was aggressive.
At the first training, directly on it! With attitude, with determination, I hit him, “well, wait…”. “What should I do, me, because I want to end up like you!”. (laughs) He liked the line. I go to him, I sit at the gate, we talk. Unfortunately, we can't get him out (of the house) at all. And Cristi Borcea tried.
In 2-3 months, they would put him on his feet, with vitaminization. But absolutely nothing moves him”, revealed Ionel Augustin.
What can I do, I'm waiting for my end. Not bad, but that's life. I haven't left the house for over a year and a half. I didn't leave until the hospital, for 3 months while I was admitted to the hospital with the operation and other problems I have. I am totally disgusted by everything that is happening. and I'm basically in over my head with really bad depression and the time zone. I sleep more during the day
Cornel Dinu, in an intervention for Fanatik, in August 2025
