Alexandru Dobre (27 years old), right midfielder from Rapidhe gave an interview to GSP.ro, at the end of the year, in which he discussed in detail everything that happened in 2025 for him and the people of Giulești.
From November 2024 in Romania, Dobre went from a reserve to the most important and representative footballer of Rapid. With 11 goals scored, the speedster is the top scorer of the Superliga at the end of 2025, tied with Jovo Lukic (U Cluj).
VIDEO | Alex Dobre, the captain of Rapid, looks back at the year 2025, a year that the people of Giulio finish 2nd and dreams beautifully: “I will give back to the club everything that I am”
Dobre claims his life has completely changed within a year of signing with Rapid. He is aware of the fact that he has become an idol and promises to return to the rapidists all the good that he received.
Defeats frustrated him the most, but he keeps moving forward and doesn't want to hear criticism. The Rapid captain answers the naysayers with his numbers and consistent game-to-game performances.
– Alex, how was the year 2025 for you?
– It was a year full of challenges, because I started playing a lot from the beginning of the year, when we returned from the training camp in Dubai. That's when I started to play more, because I signed in November and I had that debut with a goal, then I had 15 minutes, 20 minutes, I came in easily, easily. I'm glad that with the New Year in January I started to play more and more, to get involved more and more and manage to earn my starting place. Very nice moments followed and I'm glad that I had contributions for my team. I'm glad how my life has changed in a year, from playing very little to being a core man and a very important man. I'm glad I managed to score, become an idol and I won't disappoint you. I will continue to work, but be humble, because Rapid has given me a lot, and I will give back to Rapid everything that I am.
– Which match from 2025 will you not soon forget and why?
– Defeats, because they are the most frustrating, probably. We had many beautiful moments this season as well, especially the beginning of the season, when I managed to score very quickly and win in the first match, away, in Argeș. There I think it was an important moment, after the summer break, to be able to come back, start the season, score and win the team. It is a moment that I enjoyed enormously. After that, I'm glad we had positive results and we're up at the moment.
– You remembered the defeats. What do you feel frustrated you the most in the year 2025?
– These defeats. I don't like to lose. Whether it's at football, whether it's a board game or on the PlayStation, I don't like to lose, I can't stand the idea of losing. Sometimes it happens, we have to accept, work again, come back stronger and enjoy the work you put in, because victory comes with a price. If you are willing to pay that price, victory may or may not come. But by doing things right and giving it your all, you have a better chance of victory coming. The feelings you get after a victory are unique and I sincerely hope to experience more victories than defeats.
Alex Dobre, Rapid player, photo: Ionuț Iordache / GSP
“I would have liked to play match by match very well, but I'm human”
Dobre explains that the experience at Rapid changed him completely. He has matured from a sporting point of view, aware of the pressure from the Giulești supporters, and the fixed objective is first place.
– In which chapters do you feel you have evolved? Where did you grow up the most?
– I think that, having played a lot of minutes and a lot of matches, I progressed from match to match. I am no longer that boy who came in the beginning. I think I've matured a lot through the minutes and games I've had. There were games with a lot of pressure, because there is pressure at Rapid. Supporters want to see football. I'm glad that this pressure makes me play to the best of my ability and cope, because you really feel like a footballer, especially when you're playing at home and they come in such large numbers. I understand them, because they want us up there.
– What did you want to be even better and it didn't work out for you?
– I would have liked to play match by match very well, but I have to understand that I am human after all. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I am often criticized. I don't read the press and I don't watch TV, but many, if I don't score in a match or don't have a good match, I immediately say that I have a drop in form, although I scored against Giulesti seven consecutive matches and many people said that I am in a drop in form. It's strictly their opinion, I don't care. Things like this have no way of affecting me and will never affect me, because the opinion of the people who care about me, the people who are with me every day, is the most important. I will always try to do my best to help my team win, and outside things will never affect me.
– At the beginning of the year, did you set yourself a certain number of goals or to become the top scorer of the championship?
– What I proposed, I also said in an interview at the beginning of the season: to listen to my instinct much more. That's what I do, and I'm glad that since I rely more on instinct and the energy with which I engage, things turn out much better and I'm happy on that front.
Alex Dobre in Rapid – UTA / Shots captured by Cristi Preda (GSP)
In 55 matches at Rapid, Alex Dobre scored 21 goals. He is quoted by the specialized website Transfermarkt at 2.8 million euros.
Dobre is on his first adventure at a professional club in Romania. He grew up until 2016 at FC Viitorul Mihai Georgescu Cluj, after having previously completed his junior training at FCSB, and then made the transition to England
He signed with Bournemouth but only played a few minutes for the senior team in the FA Cup. He spent more time with the youth team and was loaned out in the lower leagues to Bury, Rochdale, Yeovil Town and Wigan.
Dobre concluded his contract with Famalicao on August 31, 2024, the last day of the transfer window, and in October he was introduced to Rapid.
Dream of the Ballon d'Or
Three years ago, Alex confessed that his dream was to win the Ballon d'Or, the most coveted individual award in football.
“When I was little, I loved football, but I wasn't that good. I would say I was the type of hard-working football player. My family helped me a lot, I had a coach for completion, I did athletics, technical part. At the age of seven, I did two trainings a day, and when I went to football I said I don't want to be a normal player.
Either I'll be the best, in the top five in the world, or I'll do something else. Yes, I want to become the first Romanian to win the Ballon d'Or. This is my biggest dream. Maybe people will laugh, maybe they'll say I'm crazy, but if you believe in your dream, visualize it, maybe, at some point, you'll be able to achieve it.”
