Denis Ciobotariu – from standing bags and breaded cheese, to the dream of being a champion with Rapid and playing in the World Cup

Raised at Dinamo, with trophies at CFR Cluj and Sepsi, the central defender who follows in the footsteps of his father, Liviu, has already collected 35 matches at Rapid, a club with which he says he wants to win trophies and go to European cups. And he told what he gave up as a child and what he doesn't do now to get as high as possible in football.

VIDEO. Denis Ciobotariu: “In 2026 I want a trophy and qualification for the European Cups with Rapid”

– What are your plans in 2026?
– I want, first of all, to be healthy. I wish this to everyone! And I want to perform. I want a trophy and to qualify for a place in the European Cups. And I want to reach the national team as well, as everyone wants.

– Rapid is in the race for Europe and the title. Would it be a shock to win the title?
– That's a lot said. I drove a lot of 2025, I was very, very good. Yes, in the last stages we didn't play as we wanted, but we prepared very well in this training camp and we will make a good figure, I'm sure.

– To which group would you restrict the title fight?
– It's hard, I don't know. I don't want to talk about other teams. I'm only interested in Rapid. I think that the teams that keep their form shown so far will fight.

– Do you see FCSB in the play-offs?
– I'm not interested.-

– But would it help you not to be?
– I don't know what to say. Probable.

– You were talking about the national team. What are your chances of catching the squad and the match against Turkey? And what do you think we'll do in that match?
– I believe in my chances. If I don't believe, who will? And I believe in Romania's chances. I went to the group once, but I saw what the group means and I was pleasantly surprised. I saw how the matches are being prepared. Everything superlative.

– Do you believe in destiny? Your father was at the last World Cup.
– It would be nice to go too.

– You were actually named after a stadium from the 1998 World Cup, St. Dennis.
– Yes. I would be very happy to be there. It would be a dream come true. And I believe in the chances of the national team and my chances.

The period with the discussions about the transfer to Rapid was crazy, a very stressful time. I didn't think it would be this stressful. Everything was crazy. After that I calmed down and couldn't wait to play

– Denis Ciobotariu

“The Rapid Gallery is the most beautiful!”

– Last year you were at Sepsi, they kept talking about your transfer to Rapid. It was a whole soap opera, how was this year? How did you evolve?
– I have changed for the better. I have evolved. I did good things, I adapted quickly and well to the team, which is very important because I had to play immediately because of Ignat's injury. I collected a good number of matches, I reached the national team. It was a good year for me, even though I also went through an injury. I learned a lot and I'm happy with how 2025 turned out.

– What was the biggest impact of the transition from Sepsi to Rapid?
– Rapid is a traditional club, it's a huge club. And the pressure of the supporters is felt. See how many people love this club. I remembered the moments in the past, when I played in big clubs.

– 10 years ago, when you were captain of Dinamo's junior team, did you think you would end up at Rapid?
– I wasn't thinking. But that's life. You can't know where you're going. Now I'm at Rapid, I'm a rapid operator.

– Would you see yourself at FCSB?
– No. Now I'm a speedster.

– You have three big teams in your records. What is the difference between Dinamo, CFR Cluj and Rapid?
– I caught the teams at different times. Dinamo was not in a good period, CFR Cluj was in the best period, with many titles again It's a fast growing team. He hasn't reached his full potential. Fast can much more and can be higher.

– At the level of supporters, how do you see the contribution of the gallery? Compared to Dinamo.
– They are slightly different fans. I think every gallery is unique. But I tend to think that Rapid has a special gallery, as if the fans love the team more. Let's also look at how they received me. I thank them! I feel very happy to be with a huge Romanian team.

– And you stay? Something came up with a trip to Poland.
– I understand there are discussions… I don't know. I'm only thinking about Rapid.

– You have many trophies for a still young footballer…
– Mom, how long have I heard this! It seems like yesterday I was under 21 at CFR Cluj and at Dinamo. I am 27 now.

– You still have enough years of career left.
– But you're not young anymore…

– A trophy with Rapid, considering how long he hasn't won one, would it be above the others in his career?
– I don't know. As a footballer, winning a trophy is spectacular. Those who have had the opportunity to win trophies say the same. I experienced them all the same.

I hope to be one of those with a Dynamo background winning trophies with Rapid

– Denis Ciobotariu

“I also got menus with pane cheese”

– How is Denis Ciobotariu doing outside the field?
– A quiet boy. Outside the field I train. Almost everyone works overtime these days. And all non-sporting life is related to football. I don't eat that, because I have to be good at football. I don't do that because I have to be good at football. Everything is related to this sport. It's a lifestyle. And it's a healthy one and I'm glad I do this job. I am calm. I don't do much.

– What did you cross off the food list?
– Burgers, pizza, fries.

– You don't eat at all?
– Hardly at all. Let's say once a week. After the matches. I hardly eat sweets at all. Maybe after the game.

– Do you have any innocent pleasures? Let's say you eat something and then go to the gym.
– To reduce calories? Not. Because you get more tired at the gym. And the whole point of a week is to get to the match in the best shape. If I get tired at the gym because I ate extra, it doesn't do me any good.

– What is your favorite food? Something to help you?
– Easter. We eat them before the game. They are a very good source of carbohydrates. Yes, I prefer wholemeal pasta.

– What other sacrifices does a footballer make these days?
– I am close to friends and family, I don't sacrifice that. Let's say that going out, we don't go out much. Although we are all human and we may all serve another glass of alcohol. Something minor and what everyone does. But after the game, only if it goes well. And maybe have a drink. Or I eat a dessert.

– 20 years ago, in your father's time, footballers ate the back of their neck with fries or baked beans.
– Do you know the full menu? pressed cheese Panewith onions and tomatoes. The peak, I caught it too, but I don't say where!

– Yes, but we figure it out.
– I didn't catch the back of my neck. With what? With mashed potatoes?

– With fries I think. And that with the beans… I know a goal scorer who was crazy. They didn't eat every day, but the cook made them.
– Realistically speaking, the intensity now and the way they run now are totally different. Now you couldn't. Your liver couldn't handle it anymore.

– Can you imagine what it would be like now?
– I heard a lot. And… And booze.

– But they resisted.
– Yes, but the rhythm was different. Now if Doku catches you… As an idea. There are some who have a fantastic capacity for effort and you have to keep up the pace. And you can't eat stuff that “breaks” the liver. Times have changed.

“Dad lives my matches to the fullest”

– You say you're a speedster. Is your father, through you, also a speedster? How does the matches live?
– Dad, frankly, I think he's a dynamist at heart. He played there, lived beautiful moments, won the championship. He caught different times than me. But he watches all the matches, he lives them with maximum intensity. Scream, scream home.

– As the father of the Thuram brothers.
– Yes, yes. Something like that.

– Does he tell you anything after the matches?
– Yes, yes. It's a landmark for me. He helps me after every game. Maybe not like that… If I make a mistake, maybe he'll tell me in a roundabout way. It's hard to accept criticism right after the game, compared to how it is the next day.

– Even if you know it.
– As a footballer, you know. If your opponent dribbles past you and hits the goal and it's empty, you know it's your fault. That you are partly to blame. Maybe the midfielder loses the ball and you're one-on-one for 50 yards and it's not necessarily your fault. But in the eyes of the supporter, the blame falls on you. There are many such. But I'm used to it. I know the responsibility we have, the defenders, the goalkeepers, even the midfielders in the build-up. It's complicated. It's one when you lose the ball in the middle of the field and there are other guys behind…

– Wouldn't you have liked to be a striker?
– Yes, honestly yes! But… What to do?

– Well, take the initiative!
– I am happy with what I am now. But yes, it would have been less pressure.

“I made a lot of sacrifices as a child. I played with bags on my feet”

– If you weren't a footballer, what would you have wanted to be?
– Pff… Very difficult question.

– Have you ever thought? Or from childhood only with the soccer ball?
– Somehow, I don't know if it was feeling or confidence, but I always knew that I would become a footballer. I sacrificed a lot to be a footballer. Dad used to say “You will make it if you really want it”. That is, if I make enough sacrifices and if I really want to. I played with dozens of kids and I look at pictures from juniors, maybe one or two are now footballers. Maximum! From some pictures, only I remained. And I was not favored.

– Why?
– You can get injured, for some the entourage appears… Some were smoking. I used to come by metro, and at the Ștefan cel Mare metro station, I used to see them get out and take out a cigarette. And we were children! It seemed incredible to me! They were sabotaging themselves without knowing it. Dad didn't keep me short, but he said “If you want to do something, you don't have to do this, this, this”. I don't know… There were parties, the children gathered. If it was the day before the game, dad said no. “If you want to play football… If not, go to the party and do what you want!”. I was thinking that maybe I'll go and don't stay long, don't drink… It doesn't work! If you want football, you go and rest, play and then do what you want. One day. That then you start all over again.

– As a conclusion, Denis Ciobotariu, when he will retire, at 30 or so years…
– You are also 40! Trust me.

– Will you consider that all the sacrifices were worth it?
– Honestly, yes! I said. It's a lifestyle I like.

– I mean you feel good.
– Yes, I feel very well. It doesn't feel like very big sacrifices. I have the mental strength to say no. To control my body. Many times you want to do something, but the mind says “Stop it, have a cake too! It doesn't feel right”. I was glad that I was able to do this since I was a child. This is how my life was built. On discipline. Didn't you see? Motivation is 15 minutes, but discipline helps you the most. If a year ago I was eating and drinking, I wouldn't be here anymore. That means discipline. That's what I'm still holding on to. I try to evolve, to learn, to take the best from everything. There is a lot behind a footballer, but few people know. The world says “Look at that one too! He's wearing earrings in his ears and he's talking to me.”

– You can't see what's behind.
– The world doesn't know how much you struggled. We were kids and we put on bags… We put on sock, bag, sock. That was because there was a lot of snow and water was coming in. And you couldn't train if you had a frozen foot. Well, it was only partially. The bag still held a little. They were breaking, take others. You are struggling. We are not in Barcelona to have all the conditions. We, the Romanian children, have struggled a lot. All.