Article by Eduard Apostol – Published on Sunday, December 28, 2025, 6:32 p.m. / Updated on Sunday, December 28, 2025, 6:36 p.m.
Ionel Augustin, 70 years old, is of the opinion that Dinamo can claim the title this season, being also impressed by an image of the joy of the “dogs” after a goal scored at the end of 2025.
Dinamo got involved in the fight for the title in the Super League, after years of suffering and torment. In the spring of 2025, the “pack” played in the play-offs after an eight-year break. Now, the red-whites enter 2026 from the 4th position, two points behind the leader Universitatea Craiova.
The players are already talking about the fact that they can fight for the championship, the supporters are also optimistic that Dinamo has assets to be in the fight for the title.
2007it is the year in which Dinamo won the last championship trophy in Romania
Ionel Augustin about Dinamo today: “Football players put their soul, they put their bones, they are no longer just mercenaries”
One of the great strikers in the history of Romania, Ionel Augustin, 70 years old, is a man of one piece and not always generous in his appreciation of the players. However, he believes that the red-whites can overcome their limits in the current season.
“I say that Dinamo has a chance for the title in 2026. Of course it does! You don't get carried away just after one match. Dinamo looks very good, it brought young people, it brought valuable players. It's no longer the team that only brings mercenaries, I see that Dinamo's footballers also put their heart.
Both Romanians and foreigners. It means it's a good atmosphere inside, in the dressing room. Show that a team with players who put the bone! It's a good emulation. I like the Romanians from Dinamo: Cîrjan also had modest developments, but he is on the way back, he is the type of footballer who does not give up. I expect more from Caragea, Mazilu, Mărginean, because they can offer.
We are sure to reach the play-offs. We would still need 2-3 good transfers in the winter, which would give more strength to the team. I also look at the pictures. I saw one with Armstrong and Perica after a goal, how they were rejoicing. This shows that they care about themselves, about the team, that they form a united group. And this is what I rely on a lot when I say that Dinamo can claim the title”, commented “Oneață” Augustin for GSP.ro.
Augustin refers to a photo from GSP.ro, taken by photojournalist Cristi Preda, in which the Scot Danny Armstrong is happy for the goal of the Croatian Stipe Perica in the match with Metaloglobus (4-0), in mid-December.
Who is Ionel Augustin: famous goals in the history of Dinamo
Ionel Augustin is one of Dinamo's great strikers. In Ștefan cel Mare, he won four championship titles (1975, 1982, 1983, 1984), the Romanian Cup (1982, 1984) and participated in the most important European performance, the semifinals of the European Champions Cup (1984).
Dinamo was the first team from Romania to reach the most advanced phase of the CCE for the first time, after another two years Steaua won the continental competition.
The name of “Oneață” is associated with memorable matches and goals for the red-whites. In the fall of 1981, Ionel Augustin scored the return goal, in the “Groapă”, the 2-2 goal for the historic qualification against the Italians from Internazionale, and in 1983, on the former “August 23”, he opened the scoring in the legendary match with Hamburg (the CCE en titre champion), 3-0 in the European Champions Cup.
In the same European season, in the spring of 1984, Ionel Augustin would score, with Dinamo Minsk, the qualifying goal in the semifinals of the European Champions Cup.
After being a player and coach of the “dogs”, Augustin now works in the scouting department of the CS Dinamo Academy.
