Article by Adrian Duţă – Published Wednesday, December 31, 2025 5:41 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, December 31, 2025 6:22 p.m.
Former international great Gică Popescu believes that Ianis Hagi, his nephew, will not spend much time at Alanyaspor, where he has been playing since the summer.
The attacking midfielder arrived in Turkey during the summer transfer window, played 14 league games for Alanya, scored two goals and provided one assist.
Gică Popescu spoke about the choice made by Hagi and believes that Alanyaspor is only an intermediate step in Ianis' career.
Gică Popescu: “I am convinced that Ianis Hagi will not stay long at Alanyaspor”
“What I can say is that there was a lot of talk around that time. We would meet often and talk about it. There were many, many teams that wanted him.
In the end, the decision belonged to Ianis. I am convinced that he analyzed this offer from a financial and sporting point of view and decided to go to Turkey. I'm sure he won't be there for long.
It is a time for Ianis to return to the form he had at one time, and now he often plays very well, either in the national team or in the club team. I don't think he will stay there for long”, said Gică Popescu, according to sport.ro.
He didn't need my advice, because he had someone by his side who could advise him as well as I could or much better, because he is his father and it is normal for him to think and see things closely and know his child as no one else does.
– Gica Popescu
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Gică Popescu played for 4 years in Turkey, at Galatasaray, from 1997 to 2001. He won 4 titles, the UEFA Cup and the European Super Cup with the Istanbul team.
