The Romanian captain from Hungary openly explains what Romanian football needs to take over from the Hungarians: “It would be beneficial!”
At 34 years old, Paul Anton he's a captain at ETO Gyor, the leader of Hungary after 18 stages. The midfielder, who is with the team in Antalya, talked to Gazeta Sporturilur reporters about life in the neighboring country, about what Hungarian football is like and about the investments that made Hungary to raise his football level.
Originally from Bistrita and with Pandurii, Dinamo, Getafe, Ponferradina and UTA in his records, Paul Anton arrived at Gyor in September 2022, when the team was in the second league. He put his shoulder to promotion and helped the team grow to the point where they will fight in 2026 with Ferencvaros for the title, being noticed by the Hungarians and chosen in the best “11” in the championship in the first part of the season.
And in an interview given to Gazeta Sporturilor, he talked about what life is like in Hungary, what Hungarian football is like and what the football people have done well and the Romanians should also take over.
VIDEO. Paul Anton: “Football in Hungary is more intense and direct than that in Romania”
– How is football in Hungary? How did you feel the transition from Romania?
– It's a pretty intense championship, the emphasis is on intensity. It's a bit more direct football than the one in Romania. I could not say that Romania is above Hungary or vice versa. There are a few teams here that would certainly fight for the play-off in Romania. And the teams from Romania in the play-offs would fight here for the title. It's the same value. But here they look more for intensity and direct play, in Romania they look more for quality and tactical play.
– How is it financially?
– I haven't heard of teams with problems in Hungary.
– What about the salaries?
– They are good salaries.
– Better than in Romania?
– I don't know about other teams, but there are 5-6 that pay very well. At FCSB level, CFR Cluj, Dinamo, Rapid and Craiova. They are Ferencvaros, Ujpest, ETO, Debrecen, Akademia Puskás. Otherwise, I don't know. But I can say there is seriousness. I haven't heard of any problems.
– And how is it at the investment level?
– Look, in the summer we sold a central defender to Maccabi Tel Aviv for a pretty good amount (no – Hector – 850,000 euros). Ferencvaros sold their striker to AEK Athens (no – Barnabas Varga – 4.5 million). And we took a striker, after a loan, for a rather large sum (no – Nadhir Benbouali – 600,000 euros). Money is paid. In Romania, apart from FCSB which pays millions, the rest do not. They are about the same level.
What would Paul Anton from Hungary bring to Romanian football: “It would be beneficial”
– How is life in Hungary?
– She's quiet. Gyor is a small, beautiful city, close to three capitals. If you have a free day and want to escape from the monotony of the city, you have plenty to choose from.
– Do you feel less stress?
– Somewhat, yes! First of all, you don't really understand everything that is being said. Of course there are critics, in addition to appreciation, but you don't understand and it doesn't affect you like in Romania.
– What do you like most about Hungarians?
– They are serious, hardworking and diligent people. This is what I see in young Hungarian players. It characterizes his seriousness and work.
– What should we take over from the Hungarians?
– In addition to what I said earlier, there would be something else. The rule with Romanian players has been discussed in Romania. There is also a rule here with Hungarian players, but the clubs are not fined. But they are awarded. And it's a lot of money. Most clubs fund their budget with the money they receive. It would be beneficial if it happened in Romania as well. And to invest in Romanian players.
– Hungarian football has made a leap in recent years. What do you think was the basis of this progress?
– Investments in academies. A lot of money is invested in academies. From the money the clubs receive, they have to invest in academies. And they are very developed. It works well. Although I heard that Hungarian stars left the country at a young age. They went to other countries. But the academies and the conditions they have are very good.
