Article by Eduard Apostol – Published on Thursday, 09 April 2026 22:08 / Updated on Thursday, 09 April 2026 22:13
Cornel Dinu, 77 years old, did not want to have any public reaction after the death of Mircea Lucescu, which occurred on Tuesday evening, but he honors his memory with a heartfelt photo of the two of them, Florin Cheran and one of Mister's faithful dogs.
Two days of vigil at the National Arena during which more than 15,000 Romanians came and paid their last respect to Mircea Lucescu. Exactly two weeks ago, the renowned technician led the tricolor national team in Istanbul to the play-off match against Turkey (0-1), in which he basically made his exit from the scene.
Mapamond wanted to show its respect for the prodigious coach in every way, messages were said, written, will be said, written to honor the memory of Il Luce.
Cornel Dinu shut himself up this time too: he let an image speak for him
Cornel Dinu, 77 years old, the old colleague, comrade, rival, friend of Mircea Lucescu had a public appearance on Tuesday morning, when Il Luce was still struggling with life. After which, after death intervened, Mister avoided any further reaction.
He closed himself in it. He refused any statement, even if he was affected by Lucescu's death. He accused, unofficially, the treatment Mircea received in the last days, in the last months, of his life, but he did not want to have any public reaction.
Today, Dinu posted a racy photo on his WhatsApp status. Mister, Il Luce, their good friend Florin Cheran, another old dynamist, and the faithful Merlin, Dinu's quadruped. A picture from a few years ago is worth a thousand words, in the archaic changing room of the Dinamo stadium, which is also being torn down to make way for a new one.
Picture from Cornel Dinu's WhatsApp status
Mircea Lucescu visited Cornel Dinu at his residence in August 2025
Lucescu and Dinu last saw each other last August. A few days after Il Luce turned 80, and Mister – 77. Dinu hasn't left the house for two years, he only does it when he has to go to the hospital for various medical tests.
He avoided going to his friend's birthdays, so Lucescu visited him in the house next to Romanian Television, as GSP.ro reported at the time. Basically, the two were separated by a kilometer, having properties in the same area of the Capital.
Il Luce visited Mister at home to inquire about his health and to reminisce, for old time's sake. Otherwise, the two titans of Romanian football kept in touch by phone.
