“The only Captain” was not forgotten » Emotional messages on the day when the former footballer would have turned 50 years old
Article by Mihai Șovei – Published on Tuesday, 03 February 2026, 12:11 / Updated on Tuesday, 03 February 2026 12:12
Cătălin Hîldan, former football player of Dinamo, who died on October 5, 2000, would have turned 50 today, February 3, 2026.
Florentin Petre (50 years old), his former colleague from Dinamo, but also the club from Ștefan cel Mare, posted emotional messages on social networks in memory of Cătălin Hîldan.
Florentin Petre and Dinamo, emotional messages in memory of Cătălin Hîldan
Died in Oltenția on October 5, 2000 during a friendly match between Dinamo Bucharest and Șantierul Naval Oltenița, Cătălin Hîldan left a huge void in the souls of Dinamo fans. Following his death, number 11 was withdrawn, and the lawn where Dynamo supporters gather bears his name.
Florentin Petre, his former colleague, posted an emotional message in memory of the former defender.
“Captain, today would have been your 50th birthday. For me and everyone who walked on the pitch with you, this day never goes by normally. We always go back to that moment when football stopped and nothing was the same. Entire generations have passed that have changed the dressing room. But you stayed. Your shirt has not been touched. Your number remains yours. The lawn is named after you. Not out of nostalgia, but out of respect.
What excites me the most is something else. The kids who come to the stadium today haven't seen you play. I don't know how you get into the ball. I don't know how you shouted in the field. And yet I know your name. They chant it. I feel it. Because Dinamo took care not to let you disappear. You are still present at every important match. You're in every chant that starts from the lawn. You are in every moment when Dinamo fights to the end. That means you haven't really left.
Today we are not complaining. Today we salute you. What were you for? What did you leave for? For the fact that, after so many years, you still manage to hold a stadium together. Dinamo is still waiting for you! Dinamo is still calling you!”, it says in a message posted on Facebook.
Florentin Petre (left) and Cătălin Hîldan (right) / Photo: Facebook Florentin Petre
And the club from Ștefan cel Mare posted an emotional message on the day Cătălin Hîldan would have turned 50.
Today was supposed to be about you, Captain!
Today we should all be sitting together and talking about your impressive career in the red and white shirt. Let's talk about the cups and championships won, about the European spring in which you represented Dinamo with the armband on your arm. Let's talk about the performances and the final tournaments in which you represented the national team.
Unfortunately, you left us far too soon, leaving a huge human and sporting void that cannot be replaced. But you left behind an example that, even today, more than a quarter of a century after your departure to the eternal, inspires the younger generations.
An example of professionalism and loyalty for this club, an example of a sportsman for any young dynamist who takes up this sport and a human and moral example worthy of following.
Today, even the smallest of the supporters sing your name and shout in unison with the lawn the famous song: “Cătălin Hîldan means Dinamo!”
Rest in peace, Catalin! We know that you are watching over us from there, from where you are, from the fog of Dynamo angels.
– the message posted by Dinamo
Dinamo, emotional message in memory of Cătălin Hîldan / photo: Facebook Dinamo Bucharest
