Article by Robert Vîrdol – Published Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 6:26 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 6:27 p.m.
Valentin Năstase (51 years old), the former defender from “Ștefan cel Mare”, still believes in Adrian Mazilu (20 years old), although the one who was his student at EURO U21 in 2023 has not shown anything since returning to the Super League, at Dinamo.
Adrian Mazilu was brought by Dinamo last summer, after he failed to reach his full potential abroad. The footballer needed a longer period of adaptation in Stefan the Great and even now he did not become an important solution for Zeljko Kopic.
However, Valentin Năstase believes that he will establish himself at Dinamo, because he claims that the footballer has certain qualities that are rarely found in League 1.
Valentin Năstase predicts a bright future for Adrian Mazilu
Vali Năstase is “second” at Poli Iasi / PHOTO: Eduard Vînătoru (GSP)
The second coach from SCM Râmnicu Vâlcea spoke in superlative terms about the extreme of Dinamo. Valentin Năstase is convinced that Adrian Mazilu has not yet reached his potential and called him a world-class player.
“I'm thinking about Mazilu. He's recovered, we had him in the U21s, he's a very promising player. He had that trouble, and with recovery it's hard to stay that long, but Mazilu is a world-class player. I enjoy watching him, I like him.
I saw him in those U21 training sessions, but he was too cruel to compete with the teams I played with. Most of the players from the national team played in strong championships and were starters. In the meantime, the years have passed over him and he has matured. He had that trouble, and when you recover you can become stronger. He probably wasn't working the same way before, but now he's training very well so he doesn't risk another injury.
In speed mode he knows when to accelerate, easily takes players out of the game, has a decisive step, has a shot on goal and good orientation in the field. When the ball comes to him, he doesn't panic, stays calm and knows where to pass. He can already make filtering passes, he has flashes, he is a different dough, he is a breed player. He really is a football player. You still see players like that, but he stands out. I hope to see him start, to play match after match, if not now, at least next year”, said Vali Năstase for Gazeta Sporturilor.
Adrian Mazilu was trained by Valentin Năstase
Răzvan Rotaru, on the left, next to Vali Năstase / PHOTO: Cristi Preda (GSP)
At EURO U21 in 2023, organized by Romania, Valentin Năstase was part of Emil Săndoi's staff. Adrian Mazilu, who at that time played for Farul Constanța, was also at that final tournament.
The young footballer played in two matches out of three, with Spain and Croatia, and in both he performed from the reserve position.
