Article by Eduard Apostol – Published Friday, February 27, 2026, 3:52 p.m. / Updated Friday, February 27, 2026, 4:01 p.m.
Ionuț Rada, 43 years old, declared himself horrified by the statements and accusations of the last period in the area of the fight for the play-offs. He said that he wants his former teams in the top 6, but he will also appreciate U Cluj, and FC Argeș, and UTA if they get there
Ionuț Rada (43 years old) has his own ongoing projects in Cluj Napoca and in the country, but he is also watching the end of the regular season with interest. Which gave birth to controversy and accusations.
The former central defender was a starter in Rapid's shirt in the 2005-2006 UEFA Champions League season, he played for Craiova, Steaua and CFR Cluj, among others. He won the title in Gruia, won two other trophies (the Romanian Cup) in Giulesti.
Ionuț Rada, in the Gazeta Sporturilor studio
Ionuț Rada disavows the struggle outside the field in the Superliga: “I thought we had overcome those times”
“The worst thing at this moment is this war of statements and the accusations that are fashionable, again, at the level of domestic football. I thought we had overcome those times. I appreciate everyone's desire to enter the top 6, but the discussions I have noticed in the media in the last few days are not good for Romanian football.
FC Argeș, the teams from Cluj, FCSB are now fighting, mainly, to catch the play-off. There are also UTA, Botoșani… We say we want to improve Romanian football, but when the pressure increases, everyone starts the war and doesn't take anything into account. Plus what happened with the League 3 betting scandal. It's such a shame! And shame, as a label, is put on the whole of Romanian football,” Ionuț Rada told Gazeta Sporturilor.
2goals in 17 Champions League group matches was collected by Ionuț Rada
Ionuț Rada is stunned by CFR Cluj. What he wants to see in the final duel for a place in the top 6
Former champion in Gruia, Ionuț Rada declared himself impressed by Daniel Pancu's team, 9 consecutive stages in which he collected victory after victory.
“In January 2026, I would not have believed at all that the team would have this brilliant course. A perfect evolution, well done! I could not say who is the favorite for the title at this moment, because we will have a much more intense, better play-off than last year.
(Who would you like to be in the play-offs?) (laughs) Good question! First of all, I want the teams I was active on, you understand. But if FC Argeș or U Cluj, or both, will reach the play-off, and it will not be FCSB, or another formation in the race, it means that those in the top 6 deserved to be there. I can't wait to see the play-offs.
And especially I want to see integrity! To play to the end, hard, with ambition, but honestly, on the field. There it will be decided who is better. It would be sad to return to the old practices in domestic football,” Ionuț Rada also said.
