Article by Eduard Apostol, Romeo Ene – published Monday, May 19, 2025, 16:37 / Updated Monday, May 19, 2025 16:39
Special day at Rapid. Cristian Săpunaru (41 years old), one of the remarkable players in the history of the club, withdraws from football on Monday! The Rapid's defender will take the Giulesti T -shirt for the last time The match on their own ground with CFR Clujscheduled from 20:30. From the information GSP.ro, Marius Șumudică (54 years old) will hold him in the center of defense.
The match has a special stake for Giulesti. In the event of a success in stage 9 of the play-off, Rapid remains on 5, but approaches 2 points to Craiova Universityoccupying the last place that ensures the presence in Conference League.
Rapid It doesn't just depend on her. He needs two victories in the last two stages, with Craiova and U Cluj, and the Oltenians to lose on their own ground with Dinamo. In this scenario they would reach the European Cups.
Cristian Săpunaru, holder in Rapid – CFR Cluj! Special moment in the 22nd minute
GSP.ro sources specify that Săpunaru will be a holder this evening and will be changed in the 22nd symbolically. 22 is the number that the defender carried at Rapid.
A similar gesture made him and Dinamo to Răzvan Patriche (39 years old). On Friday, the defender last played for “dogs” and was changed in the 23rd minute.
Therefore, Săpunaru will check the first and last official match in 2025. It was no more evolved for Giulesti in an official match on November 4, 2024, when the band of Șumudică defeated Hermannstadt on its own ground.
The defender was then changed at the break with Cristian Ignat (22 years old).
10 trophiesSăpunaru conquered in his career, including Europa League with Porto (2011). With Rapid he conquered the Cup and the Romanian Super Cup
Săpunaru played 8 matches this season for Rapid, but he was integral in 3 of them.
Cristian Săpunaru // Photo: Ionuț Iordache
210 matchesgathered Săpunaru for his soul team, having 16 goals and 4 assists
13 matches and an assistticked the footballer in the Champions League groups
All these years I spent at Rapid were an honor for me and I think that out of love for this club I would have been able to do anything.
The match with CFR Cluj will be my last match as a player of the Rapid on Giulești. It's a hard match for me, but I won't consider it like a goodbye. I will consider it as a new beginning and please remain the same supporters of the Rapid as you have always been. Come on, fast!
– the message to Cristian Săpunaru, when withdrawing from Rapid
Cristian Săpunaru started his career at Rapid in 2006, and after 2 years spent in Giulești he arrived in Porto in the form of a loan. The Portuguese bought it and played another two years for “Dragons”.
Săpunaru then played in Spain at Real Zaragoza and Elche. After the period in the Iberian Peninsula he returned to Rapid. He then played in Romania at Pandurii Tg. Jiu and Astra Giurgiu, and then took the step towards the Turkish League at Kayserispor and Denizlispor. In 2021, Săpunaru returned to Giulești and will withdraw from the team he debuted.
