Oprut River (28 years old), the defender of the Dinamogave an interview to GSP.ro. The footballer spoke about the chances of being called up to the national team for the tie with Turkey, about the possibility of being a starter, but also about the atmosphere that is being announced on the field of “Semiluna”.
- Romania will play in the semi-final of the “barrage” for WC 2026 with Turkey, away. In the event of a victory, the “tricolors” will meet either Slovakia or Kosovo, also on foreign soil. The play-off semi-final will take place on March 26, 2026. The final is scheduled for March 31.
I stop he is in top form at Dinamo, but he is not thinking now if he could be called up and even start for the national team in the decisive match in Istanbul.
Even if he admits that he wants to be present, the defender is focused on his developments and says that he would enjoy Romania's qualification for the World Championship even if he is not part of the squad.
VIDEO | Raul Opruț, about the dam between Romania and Turkey: “We can win”
The player believes that the game will be extremely difficult, both in terms of the atmosphere and the value of the opponent, but he believes that Romania can win.
– Are you thinking about Romania's dam with Turkey?
– Yes, as I said, of course I'm thinking, but it's still early. There is still time until then, but I repeat it once more, I have to be healthy, play well. Because if I play well, I can definitely be there. And even if I won't be there, I would be very happy if we qualify for the World Championship, because, after all, all Romanians are waiting for this after so long.
– Really starter for the match against Turkey?
– That's not something I'm thinking about right now. Mr. Mircea Lucescu has a lot of experience, so that at game time he makes the best choices to win that match. So from that point of view, I have no doubt and no one should have any doubt that he will make the wrong choices.
– How do you see this match, especially in the context of the atmosphere that is being announced?
– It will be a nice atmosphere, it will be a match that all Romanian players would like to play. It will be a very difficult match because, apart from the atmosphere, they also have very good players playing at the highest level. But I think if our players are all medically fit at game time, I think we can win this game.
Opruț, Eissat, Dragomir and Moruțan, before Romania – Moldova
– Have you talked to anyone from the national team staff lately?
– I haven't spoken to anyone from the national team staff recently. I met them when they were in Antalya in the camp, but I didn't talk about it or have a personal discussion with them.
– But do you feel you deserve to be summoned after recent developments?
– I can't say that, if I feel that I deserve to be summoned… There are quite a lot of people who analyze these things and who comment on topics like that. I don't think I need to comment on this topic because I don't see the point. At the end of the day, we are players, we have to play as well as we can in such a way that if we are called up to the national team, we are 100% ready to play for the national team and give everything.
5 goalsRaul Opruț succeeded this season for Dinamo
Genoa U19, Chievo, Albissola, Hermannstadt, Kortrijk and Dinamo are the clubs for which Opruț played throughout his career.
