Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – Published Thursday, December 25, 2025 6:01 p.m. / Updated Thursday, December 25, 2025 6:11 p.m.
Gică Craioveanu, the legend of Craiova, said what should have been the step taken by Andrei Rațiu (27 years old, right defender) in the summer.
In the summer, it was circulated that Andrei Rațiu could make the move to a much bigger team, such as Barcelona, but he stayed at Rayo Vallecano. Gică Craioveanu said that the best choice that Rațiu could have made would have been a transfer to Villarreal, the team he was registered with in the past.
Gică Craioveanu, advice for Andrei Rațiu: “The best step for him would have been at Villarreal”
“I told you in the summer that neither Barcelona, nor Madrid, nor Ateltico want him. The best step for him would have been at Villarreal. By signing with them, after the Champions League, he could find a much better team.
He had a very good year in Spain, very good indeed. The Spaniards speak very well, that he is a player with qualities, conditions, but it is that…that he is a chaotic player. He is a player as we say and say on the radio, a chaotic player, who appears wherever he wants. In such big teams, like Barcelona, Madrid, he has to be very good tactically.
Gica Craioveanu
La Cholo Simeone I never see him playing, Barcelona would be more his style. Kounde is one of the best right backs, central. In the attack, he is far above Kounde, in the attack, he has him, he steps on the ball, he turns”, said Gică Craioveanu, according to as.ro.
Andrei Rațiu played 23 matches this season. He managed a goal and an assist. It is quoted at 18 million euros, according to the specialist website transfermarkt.com.
