Article by Cezar Titor, Tudor Belivacă – Published Monday, May 25, 2026, 8:12 p.m. / Updated Monday, May 25, 2026, 8:17 p.m.
Ionel Ganea (52 years old), the former Romanian international, made his first public appearance in a stadium since the terrible tragedy of last year. The former striker from Giulesti was present in the stands to watch Rapid – University of Craiova, the last match of the Superliga play-off.
Ionel Ganea was accompanied by his wife, Monica Ganea, and was quickly spotted by Giulești supporters in the stands.
Superb gesture by Ionel Ganea at Rapid – University of Craiova
Ionel Ganea was asked to take photos by a steward, and then by a fan of Rapid with mobility problems. In addition to the fact that he answered the request with a smile, Ionel Ganea talked to her for a few minutes. Afterwards, still smiling, he returned to his seat to watch the game that will draw the curtain over the current Superliga season.
Ionel Ganea played in two periods at Rapid: half a season in 1999 and then half a season in 2007. Ionel Ganea also played for Craiova University between 1996 and 1997. At Rapid, Ionel Ganea won a championship title and a Romanian Cup. In the season with the title he was the top scorer in the first division with 28 goals.
Ionel Ganea was involved in a terrible road accident last May. The event took place between the town of Hurez, in the commune of Beclean, and the municipality of Făgăraș. Following the accident, his son, Alexandru, died.
Rapid – Craiova University, the starting teams
Rapid: Aioani – Onea, D. Ciobotariu, Pașcanu, Sălceanu – Christensen, K. Keita, Grameni – Dobre, Koljic, Moruțan
Reserves: Briciu, Simonia, Bolgado, Todoran, Borza, Hromada, G. Gheorghe, A. Şucu, Hazrollaj, Burmaz
Coach: Costel Gâlcă
University of Craiova: L. Popescu – Mogoș, Stevanovic, Badelj – Teles, A. Crețu, T. Băluță, F. Ștefan – Băsceanu, Nsimba, Baiaram
Reserves: Goncalves, Bancu, Fălcuşan, Screciu, Cicâldău, D. Matei, Muntean, Rădulescu, Etim, D. Barbu
Coach: Filipe Coelho
